The white rhinoceros was almost wiped out in the early 20th century. Strict conservation measures have enabled the southern white rhinoceros subspecies to recover.
The northern white rhinoceros has been considered extinct in the wild since 2008. The last male, named ‘Sudan’, died in March 2018 at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
As well as frequent periods of drought, poaching poses the greatest threat to rhinos. They are hunted for their horns. It is made of keratin, just like our fingernails, toenails and hair. In Chinese medicine, the horn is regarded as an aphrodisiac. It commands a high price on the black market, which further fuels poaching.
Taxonomy
Rhinocerotidae, Ceratotherium (1 species)
Habitat
grassland, savanna with scattered scrub and trees
Social structure
females in maternal family groups with offspring, males with territories, solitary individuals or in bachelor groups
