#ringoforever

Beautiful baby Ringo passed away this week. My heart still hurts, but I feel so lucky that I had a chance to meet this amazing joyful creature <3

💔 R.I.P. @jamessuter - Our team sits with such heavy hearts - during the night of the 19th July - Ringo Starr, the abandoned southern white rhino calf we spent time with whilst on assignment for @unitedforwildlife at @olpejeta passed away. He was ill for two weeks and despite best efforts he didn't make it through. He passed away with his carers by his side. When I have stated in the past that rhino orphans struggle to survive without their mother's care - I am not exaggerating. He was weak from the start and needed constant company and comfort. Many carers across Africa lose orphans because of this - humans cannot replicate being a mother to an orphaned rhino. And although many survive, there are many that don't too. And it is why orphans left behind due to poaching are a whole added element to the problem - they cannot simply continue without their mothers. Our hearts go out to the carers, to all at @olpejeta but most of all we cannot stop thinking of Sudan - the 43 year old northern white rhino - the last male on earth of this subspecies that found a new energy in life thanks to his best friend, Ringo Starr. It is now important to join hands and celebrate his life - and it is what all at Ol Pejeta have asked us to do. He had a huge impact on all who knew him. He had an amazing presence, despite his size - he was noticeably small for a rhino calf of seven months when we met him - but yet he was larger than life. Ringo inspired hundreds of people all over the world with his boisterous personality. He raised awareness about the plight of rhino in Africa. Out of all the moments and footage, this is still the one that mosts stands out for me. So I am reposting it. An afternoon out of the rain with Ringo Starr and Joseph. The moments are real and really make it clear that raising a rhino calf is no easy feat. These carers are heroes - even more so for going through this - and continuing their work with a hopeful attitude - passionate about the cause. Share this and support @olpejeta and carry on the legacy of Ringo the Rhino @blackbeanproductions @sam_thegirl @oli_caldow @sachaspex @_keenanferguson_ @faunafloraint #RingoTheRhino #RingoForever #Regrann

Repost from @sallykoonin_ using @RepostRegramApp - 🙏🏻💔RIP LITTLE ANGEL 😢🙏🏻#Repost @olpejeta ・・・ It is with deep sadness that we announce that during the night of the 19th July 2016, our beloved Ringo, the abandoned southern white rhino calf, passed away. Ringo had been unwell for two weeks, and despite our very best efforts, he succumbed to his illness during the night. His caregivers were by his side. As we mourn the loss of a little rhino who had the odds stacked against him from day one, we also ask you all to join us in celebrating his life – recognising what a huge impact Ringo had on all who knew him. 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. 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. #RingoTheRhino #RingoForever