The Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya has named its newly-born female black rhino Samaira Sharma, after Team India’s top order batsman Rohit Sharma’s daughter. The message was conveyed to Ritika and Rohit Sharma by the CEO of the Wildlife Conservancy, Richard Vigne.
“Rohit and his wife visited the Conservancy back in September 2015. Rohit’s visit was part of a campaign to raise awareness about the plight of rhinos all over the world and the devastating effects of poaching,” Elodie A. Sampéré, the PR, Communications, and Fundraising Consultant of the Conservancy, said in an exclusive telephone interview. “Rohit and his wife had visited Sudan, the last male Northern White rhino who died last year on March 19, 2018,” Elodie added.
Rohit Sharma with wife Ritika and daughter Samaira.
Rohit’s visit was part of a campaign called Stars For The Last Male Standing. It was organised to raise awareness about the plight of the Northern White rhino. During his trip, Rohit Sharma also met Baraka the blind black rhino.
Certificate by the Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy.
Explaining more about rhinos, she said, “In the wild, rhinos usually live for 30-35 years. In captivity, though, they can live for up to 45 years.”
Rohit Sharma took to Twitter to thank the conservancy for bestowing the honour upon them. He wrote, “This has made us so emotional! This is so special! Conservation of rhinos is a cause so close to our hearts & Sudan meant so much to us. Thank you @OlPejeta for this honour. Can’t believe our 2-month-old has a Rhino named after her in Africa, unbelievably special (sic).”
