The Northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni)—one of two white rhino subspecies—is functionally extinct. Officially, this subspecies is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as critically endangered and possibly extinct in the wild. However, the last known male of the Northern white rhino subspecies has died in Africa, and only two females (the daughter and granddaughter of this male) remain alive and are being protected in a private sanctuary in Kenya. Therefore, unless a previously unknown male member of this subspecies is found in the wild, which is highly improbable, the Northern white rhinoceros faces imminent extinction. See also: Endangered species; Extinction; Population ecology; Population viability; Rhinoceros
The Northern white rhino, like all rhinos, is an odd-toed ungulate belonging to the family Rhinocerotidae in the order Perissodactyla. Two species of rhinoceros inhabit Africa. One species is the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), comprising four or five extant subspecies. The other species is the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), which is divided taxonomically into two subspecies—the Northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and the Southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum; this latter subspecies comprises approximately 20,000 individuals, although it is still listed as critically endangered). See also: Africa; Perissodactyla
The main culprit for the decimation of the Northern white rhino is poaching conducted by humans. This illegal action is undertaken primarily to procure the animal's horns (of which there are two per individual). Traditionally, the horn is a prized item in many countries of Asia and has been deemed to have potent medicinal value; however, scientific research has proven this claim to be unfounded. Despite evidence to the contrary, the poaching of all rhino species continues, endangering this land mammal as a whole. See also: Mammalia; Prevention of rhino poaching
Although discouraged by the news of the death of the last male member of the Northern white rhino, conservationists and reproductive specialists have collected and saved genetic materials (including sperm and eggs) from a number of Northern white rhinos, providing a possible future means to preserve the subspecies. For example, scientists could implant an embryo that has been created in the laboratory from the genetic materials of a Northern white rhino into a surrogate female Southern white rhino. If procedures of this type are attempted and if successful, this could lead to an eventual resurrection of the subspecies. However, this remains a very remote possibility. See also: Conservation (species); De-extinction; Genetics; Reproductive technology
