Mini Sudan
Utilizing the knowledge pathway and pester power, this project uses the conservation flagship that is Sudan the Last Male Northern White Rhino in a hand designed realistic plush toy to increase student engagement in educational programs and also raises awareness of the extinction crisis in the global North. Currently running.
Case Study - Mini Sudan
Utilizing the knowledge pathway and pester power, this project uses the conservation flagship that is Sudan the Last Male Northern White Rhino in a hand designed realistic plush toy to increase student engagement in educational programs in Hong Kong ("pester power") and the Greater Kruger Area in South Africa ("Knowledge pathway"). It also raises awareness of the extinction crisis in the global North.
Currently running.
Based on the 2025 journal article “A unifying theoretical framework for conservation flagships”, Sudan the last male northern white rhino represents a powerful example of a unifying flagship: an individual who embodies multiple conservation values across emotional, ecological, and strategic dimensions.
The framework emphasizes how such flagships go beyond species representation to unite public engagement, donor appeal, and policy focus. Sudan functioned as a unifying symbol for extinction awareness, technological innovation (e.g., IVF), and urgent global conservation efforts, thereby fulfilling multiple flagship roles simultaneously.
Jarić, Ivan & Crowley, Sarah & Jeschke, Jonathan & Arbieu, Ugo & Caetano, Gabriel & Correia, Ricardo & Kamdar, Arjun & Ladle, Richard & Mammola, Stefano & Roll, Uri & Verissimo, Diogo. (2025). A unifying theoretical framework for conservation flagships. Biological Conservation. 308. 111199. 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111199.
Mini Sudan has began to be used in educational programs to foster student engagement in Hong Kong, these programs are currently in development.
It is also on the way to South Africa to be used in engaging students of the future rangers program around the Greater Kruger Area.
More information on these programs will be shared in due time. If you are interested in utilizing Mini Sudan in educational programs, please reach out on the contact form.
Mini Sudan can be purchased here
Art + Science Rhino Horn Demand Reduction Initiative Featured in
2025
Abstract titled “Innovative Rhino Horn Demand Reduction Initiative Combining Art with Science” selected for this conference, with a record number of submissions, the standard was extremely high, and to have my work reviewed and accepted by a team of behaviour change professionals was a vindication of the science and effort I put into moving this initiative forward.
The review process is competitive, and only the most compelling abstracts are selected for inclusion in the conference program.
There was record competition - the organizers received the highest number of entries in the history of the competition.
75
Peer Reviewed Literature sources cited which corroborate, strenghthen and build upon the evidence gained from initial interviews from rhino horn consumers
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2017
Initial concept was presented on the TED Stage in Rapid City, South Dakota, USA in October 2017, joined onstage by my late Service K9 Angel, whom this initiative is dedicated to.