Ringo, a Southern white rhino calf at Ol Pejeta Conservancy has died.
The Rhino, named after one of the most successful drummers in UK music history and former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, succumbed to illness after being unwell for two weeks.
According to a statement by Ol Pejeta, Ringo received treatment and was monitored 24 hours a day by caregivers and vets up until his death.
“When Ringo fell ill, our dedicated team of caregivers and vets ran tests, consulted specialists in South Africa and made him as comfortable as possible – monitoring him 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, raising wild-born rhinos in captivity is notoriously difficult. Inevitably, no matter how hard we try, humans can never replicate the environment that a rhino calf would be exposed to in the wild.”
Ringo was rescued in October 2015 at two weeks old after he was found abandoned due to sickness, a common occurrence with many wild mammal mothers.
He was then named Ringo in honour of the Ringo Starr, who has been speaking out against rhino poaching especially in Africa.
The conservancy hopes that Ringo’s death will raise awareness to the plight of the rhinos in Africa.
According to the conservancy, Ringo will be remembered for his playful antics and charm that helped raised awareness of the plight of rhinos in Africa.
“During his short life, Ringo inspired hundreds of people all over the world with his playful antics and irresistible charm. In simply being himself, he helped to raise awareness about the plight of rhinos in Africa. We would like to thank you for supporting Ringo, a very special rhino, and invite you to join us in carrying on his legacy”.
Ol Pejeta is home to the last three Northern White rhinos in the world and the largest group of black rhinos in East Africa, 109 of the estimated 2,500 in the world.
