The Northern White Rhino

The Northern White Rhino

The northern white rhino, also known as the square-lipped rhinoceros, is critically endangered after the sad death of the last male on the planet, known as Sudan. Scientists today have been at constant work, frantically attempting to keep the species alive even though they have no clear path on how to do it.

Located in the grassland and savanna woodlands of Central and East Africa, the northern white rhino, due to extreme poaching, is now only populated by two female rhinos. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy can be found in Kenya, along with Najin and Fatu, the last two rhinos on earth. In 2009, when Sudan was still alive, scientists brought him along with three other female rhinos in hopes of coming out with a baby to keep them from extinction. The allowance of the rhinos to roam as well as have access to food and water heightened the chances of repopulating the endangered species. 

Unfortunately, on March 19, 2018, Sudan was put down due to his severe age-related complications, such as an infection in his right leg at only 45. Despite the treatment given to Sudan, the infection didn’t relent, and his death marked the functional extinction of the species.

In an attempt to bring back this species, scientists are creating embryos using stored semen and harvested eggs from the remaining two female rhinos. There are now 20 viable embryos stored away in hopes of either Najin or Fatu having a calf.

Helping out these rhinos is simple: support the Biorescue project. Donate to the Ol Pejeta Conservatory today using this link: Click here to donate to the Ol Pejeta Conservatory! You can also raise awareness by using social media to explain how crucial it is to protect the northern white rhinos. You never know when they might just go extinct.

Written By: Kairi Tang

Edited By: Kaylee Ecarma