A flexible, snakelike robot could serve as a vital lifeline for bringing the northern white rhino back from the brink of extinction. Scientists at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) have partnered with the San Diego Zoo to develop the unique device, which they believe could assist with the artificial reproduction process for rhinos. The northern white rhino has been nearing extinction for some time, with just two specimens left in the world, both of which are female. A flexible, snakelike robot could serve as a vital lifeline for bringing the northern white rhino (pictured) back from the brink of extinction. Scientists are now'racing against the clock' to save the species, which has been decimated as a result of habitat loss and poaching.

The duck is famous for two things: really liking bread (even though they're not supposed to be eating it), and wielding insanely complicated reproductive bits. More specifically, male ducks have corkscrew-shaped penises, while females' reproductive tracts corkscrew in the opposite direction. But you know who tends to get short shrift for their own bizarrely complicated reproductive system? That would be the rhino. "It's composed of a number of interlocking ridges or rings that makes it look like a number of S's connected to each other for 8 to 12 inches," says Barbara Durrant, director of reproductive sciences at the San Diego Zoo.

The world's most pampered rhino is having his mudpack applied by hand. Sudan the veteran northern white rhinoceros stands placidly and allows his personal assistant to rub dollops of wet clay into his hide, to moisturise his skin and keep insects away. 'He loves that,' says Zach, his 24-hour-a-day PA. Zach lives next door to the rhino enclosure, permanently on call in case His Lordship should require anything. And Sudan is very high maintenance – he used to have a man whose job was rubbing oil into his hooves.

There's just one male northern white rhino left in the world, and he's now on the Tinder dating app as wildlife experts try to keep his species alive. The rhino, named Sudan, will appear as an ad on Tinder as you're swiping through potential suitors – and despite the burden of having to save his species from extinction, he has'no problems performing under pressure.' It's hoped that the'Most Eligible Bachelor in the World' campaign launched by Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Tinder will help raise $9 million towards breeding methods before it's too late. The rhino, named Sudan, will appear as an ad on Tinder as you're swiping through potential suitors – and despite the burden of having to save his species from extinction, he has'no problems performing under pressure' While swiping through Tinder, Sudan will eventually appear. If you swipe right on his profile, it will be a'match.'

FILE In this Monday Dec. 21, 2009 file photo, Sudan, a northern white rhino, arrives at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. There's just one male northern white rhino left in the world, and he's getting some help from the Tinder dating app. A Kenyan wildlife conservancy is teaming up with Tinder for a campaign called "The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World," focusing on the rhino named Sudan. They are raising money for research to save the species from extinction. Sudan and his last two female companions are unable to breed naturally because of issues that include old age.