Kifaru The Film

Last Thursday I was fortunate enough to see the movie Kifaru (Swahili for rhino) at the River Run film festival. The setting of the film is Kenya’s Ol Pejeta’s Nature Conservancy. Documenting extinction in real time, the film follows the final years of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino in the world, and his caretakers. Two of his primary caretakers, James and JoJo, were at the screening and I was able to meet them and express my gratitude for their dedication to the rhinos. The film is beautifully and compassionately done. If you have the opportunity, please see it and please support the film, filmmakers and the caretakers of the rhinos with a donation.  More information can be found @kifaruthefilm and kifaruthefilm.com. Thank you. 

Sudan you were the last
Male Northern White Rhino to have passed
Our way. 

The extinction of your kind
Happened in real time,
Our time. 

James, JoJo and the others
At Ol Pejeta cared for you as you struggled
To carry the species on.

 Your death is not in vain,
Your story is told again,
On movie screens worldwide. 

Extinction came from greed,
But your story has planted the seed
That we all need
To nurture and watch grow. 

No longer complacent,
Be bold!
Speak out!
Remove doubt!
Plant the seed of understanding
By taking the action of demanding
Of self first, then others,
To know what chain
Of life our purchases strain,
Or wear the blood
Of what is slain.