White Rhinoceros | Why are White Rhinos on the Brink of Extinction? | How to save? | Northern White Rhinoceros Conservation
The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) includes two subspecies: the Northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and the Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). Among them, the northern white rhinos are critically endangered and functionally extinct in the wild. Historically, the Northern white rhinoceros (NWR) roamed the savannahs and grasslands of central Africa. This article elaborates on Northern White Rhinoceros Conservation, status, efforts, and reasons for extinction.
This article is written by Hanana Arshad, Dr Razia Kausar, Sarmad Rehan, and M.Umar Sharif from the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
However, people have hunted rhinos and destroyed their homes, which has pushed them close to extinction. Now, they live only in protected places. Rhino horns sell for more money than gold. Therefore, poachers still hunt these giants despite global bans. We must make strong efforts for rhinoceros conservation and to protect the remaining ones.
Physical Characteristics of White Rhinoceros
Experts rank the Northern white rhino among the largest land mammals on Earth. Adult males typically weigh between 1.8 to 2.7 tonnes and reach a shoulder height of 1.7 to 1.85 meters. Notably, they have two distinct horns, with the front horn being longer. They use their broad, square-shaped lips to graze short grasses across open plains. In addition, a noticeable nuchal hump supports their heavy head and strong neck muscles, allowing them to graze efficiently for hours.
World Rhino Day: Rhinoceros Characteristics and Conservation
Behavior and Reproduction of White Rhinos
Northern white rhinos are semi-social and territorial. They sometimes form herds of up to 12 individuals, especially in areas with ample resources. However, males often remain solitary and aggressively defend their territory using their horns. Meanwhile, females tend to form small groups with offspring.
In terms of reproduction, females mature earlier, typically around age four or five, whereas males may not breed until around ten years old. Importantly, the gestation period is very long. Females carry the young for about 16 months, which makes reproduction slow and difficult.
Southern and Northern White Rhinoceros Conservation Status
Although conservationists launched both in-situ and ex-situ breeding programs, the efforts have largely failed. A female rhino gave birth successfully for the last time in 2000, but since then, wild-caught and captive-born rhinos have struggled to reproduce. In 2009, experts relocated four NWRs from Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic to OL Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. The goal was to promote natural breeding in a more suitable environment. Unfortunately, the relocated rhinos failed to produce any offspring.
By early 2018, only two females and one male remained. Tragically, veterinarians euthanized Sudan, the last male, in March 2018. As a result, the subspecies became functionally extinct, with no possibility of natural reproduction. Today, the two remaining females, Najin and Fatu live under 24/7 armed protection at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Causes of White Rhinoceros near Extinction
The northern white rhinoceros has suffered due to intense poaching. Primarily, poaching occurred due to demand for rhino horn in illegal wildlife markets, particularly in Asia. People falsely believe that rhino horns hold medicinal or cultural value. Alongside this, habitat loss due to human encroachment, farming, and climate change has further reduced their numbers.
Furthermore, political conflict in parts of Central Africa disrupted both protection efforts and scientific research. Consequently, conservation efforts were severely weakened, allowing the population to crash rapidly.
Southern and Northern White Rhinoceros Conservation Efforts
Despite setbacks, researchers are trying to save the northern white rhinoceros from extinction using advanced reproductive technologies like IVF (In vitro fertilization) and assisted reproductive technologies(ART). For example, researchers have conducted ovum pick-up procedures on Najin and Fatu.
So far, Fatu has produced multiple viable eggs. Scientists airlifted these to Europe and fertilized them using preserved sperm from deceased NWR bulls. Currently, viable embryos are stored with the hope of implanting them into Southern white rhino surrogates.
Meanwhile, the BioRescue Project is working on other advanced approaches such as stem cell differentiation and cloning via nuclear transfer. If successful, these breakthroughs could not only save the Northern white rhinoceros but also offer hope for many other endangered species. Moreover, global efforts to protect rhino habitats and crack down on poaching continue to play an essential role in broader conservation strategies.
