Last hope for the northern white rhino Najin, Fatu, Sudan and Suni Four platinum prints

In January 2012 Ian Aitken visited the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, where he took exclusive photographs of Najin, Fatu, Sudan and Suni - four of the world’s last seven remaining northern white rhinos. Aitken Prints have now handcrafted these images as a limited edition of rare platinum prints. There are only 4 prints of each rhino available in this edition. Platinum printing is highly valued by collectors because of its exceptional aesthetic and archival properties. Platinum is more stable even than gold - a well-preserved platinum print can last thousands of years. The platinum prints of Najin, Fatu, Sudan and Suni were first exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society on 31 October 2012. Also featured on BBC radio 4 Saving Species on December 18th 2012 The prints are now available to buy individually, in bespoke frames made of English brown oak inlaid with African mpingo and carved with the name of each rhino. For every print sold, 50% of the profit will directly help to protect the northern white rhino from poachers. Proceeds will fund the building of a modern security base at Ol Pejeta’s northern white rhino enclosure. Fauna and Flora international and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy fully endorse this fundraising project. To purchase or enquire about one of these prints, email  ian@aikenprints.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)1263 862212  

“In January 2012, I was invited to Ol Pejeta. During this trip, I’d photographed the northern white rhino several times, but was not satisfied with my approach, so on the last morning of the trip I arranged to get some close-up portraits. I wanted Mount Kenya in the background and the rhino in the foreground. With the guards’ help I managed to get Fatu in profile. I’d known how rare these animals are, but preparing for the photo I was struck by the loneliness and unbelievable fragility of their situation. Then Fatu suddenly turned and started walking towards me. I was terrified – they are huge animals – but carried on taking photos, stepping backwards, faster and faster. The guards told me to stop and stand still for my own safety. Fatu came right up close to me and nuzzled her head in my stomach. I know it’s corny, but at that moment, with the personal contact, I was hooked. I was completely blown away.”

Ian Aitken To purchase or enquire about one of these prints, email ian@aitkenprints.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)1263 862212

Ian Aitken felt he could raise funds to protect the northern white rhino by making rare platinum prints of his photographs. In this way he could also preserve the unique images of Najin, Fatu, Sudan and Suni virtually for ever.

Platinum printing had almost died out by the end of the 20th century. It is highly labour-intensive, as the platinum solution has to be brushed onto the surface of the paper by hand, the resulting light sensitive paper exposed to Ultra violet for many minutes before an image will appear. However, the resulting prints have exceptional tonal range, luminosity and texture, and can last thousands of years. Aitken Prints have produced an edition of four platinum/palladium prints each of Fatu, Suni, Sudan and Najin (24x16”on 30x22” paper). Each portrait is presented in a handmade frame of English oak inlaid with African blackwood (FSC-certified). A full 50% of the profit from each print sold will go directly towards the conservation of the northern white rhino at Ol Pejeta. This fundraising project is fully endorsed by Fauna and Flora International and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. To purchase or enquire about one of these prints, email ian@aitkenprints.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)1263 862212

The plight of the northern white rhino

The northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) is currently listed as the most critically endangered rhino subspecies - and the most endangered mammal species - in the world. Poaching has decimated its population, and today there are just two left in the world, these northern white rhinos live on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Najin, Fatu, Sudan and Suni arrived at Ol Pejeta from Dvůr Králové Zoo, their former home in the Czech Republic, in December 2009. The aim is to rescue the species by breeding these last few northern white rhinos in their native Africa. In 2012 Suni and Najin mated twice, giving hope for the survival of the subspecies. Find out the latest news about the northern white rhino at Ol Pejeta

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy lies on the Laikipia plateau in central Kenya. This vast plateau stretches from the edge of the Great Rift Valley to the peaks of Mount Kenya. All of Africa’s ‘big five’ (rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo), the endangered Grevy’s zebra, African wild dog, and the only viable population of Jackson’s hartebeest are found here. Formerly a 40,000-hectare cattle ranch owned by Lonrho Africa, today Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a mosaic of grass plains, acacia woodland and evergreen thicket covering more than 350 square kilometres. It holds some of the highest predator densities in Kenya. Ol Pejeta works to conserve wildlife by integrating it with a pioneering livestock production system. Income from wildlife tourism and complementary enterprises is reinvested in conservation and community development, including health, education and water projects. You can read the Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s latest newsletter here To purchase or enquire about one of these prints, email ian@aitkenprints.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)1263862212