The White Rhino is one of the species of Rhino that lives within Africa. The other species of Rhino that lives within Africa is the Black Rhino. Both the Black Rhino and the White Rhino have several subspecies of their species. Many of the subspecies of the Black Rhino are now extinct - the last subspecies of Black Rhino to go extinct was in 2011. The next subspecies of African Rhino to go extinct, will most likely be from the White Rhino.
How Many Subspecies Of White Rhinos Are There?
There are two subspecies of White Rhinos. There is the Northern White Rhino and there is the Southern White Rhino.
Both of these subspecies of Rhino have very different populations:
. The Northern White Rhino is on the brink of extinction. There are now only two Northern White Rhinos left in the world.
. The Southern White Rhino is the only species of Rhino which isn't endangered. The Southern White Rhino is near threatened.
. The Southern White Rhino population is increasing. There are 20,000 Southern White Rhinos in the wild of Africa today.
. Northern White Rhinos on the other hand are classed as critically endangered...however, their population isn't sustainable for the future.
The Future Of The Northern White Rhino
The future of the Northern White Rhino is a really bleak one. They are critically endangered and there is probably no hope for them in the future.
Sadly, the last male Northern White Rhino died in 2018. Today, there are only two female Northern White Rhinos left in the world. This means that Northern White Rhinos are very near extinction. Because there are now only two female Northern White Rhinos left in the world, it is probably inevitable that this species will become extinct - and probably within our lifetime.
Hope isn't completely lost for Northern White Rhinos though, there is still a slim chance that Northern White Rhinos can be saved for the future, as scientists created two embryos from the two female Northern White Rhinos who currently exist - scientists also have frozen sperm from now extinct male Northern White Rhinos, so there is still some hope for these amazing animals yet!
So, there is still some hope that we can save Northern White Rhinos.
The Future Of The Southern White Rhino
The Southern White Rhino has more hope for the future than their Northern Black Rhino cousins. There are 20,000 of these animals, and they are classed as near threatened - which means that they are threatened with extinction.
Although they are near threatened today, the Southern Rhino has had massive success in recently decades, as these animals were once near extinction - in 1895, there was less than 100 Southern White Rhinos existing on the planet, but thanks to successful conservation work throughout recent decades, these beautiful animals have made a miraculous recovery.
In saying that though, Southern White Rhinos still face threats towards their life and existence. These animals, like all other Rhinos, have suffered from people poaching them - one of the main threats to their existence is poaching.
For us to preserve Southern White Rhinos, we need to stop poaching, preserve their natural habitat and rewild, while also stopping things like environmental destruction. It is only then that Southern White Rhinos will have a safe, happy and successful future on planet Earth.
Where Are White Rhinos Found?
White Rhinos are found in Africa. Most White Rhinos are found in just four African countries: Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa and Nambia.
The last two female Northern White Rhinos are protected by armed guards, due to the animals being under threat from being killed by poachers.
What Do White Rhinos Eat?
White Rhinos mainly eat leafs and branches.
What Threats Do White Rhinos Face?
White Rhinos face several threats to their life and existence.
The main threat to White Rhinos being poached. White Rhinos also face other threats to their existence; they are also threatened with habitat loss and political conflict - an unstable political situation and the destruction of their natural habitat is another two things which threatens them with extinction.
How Can You Help Save White Rhinos?
You can help save White Rhinos, and there are many ways to do so.
Here are some of the ways in which you can help these beautiful animals:
. You can help White Rhinos and other Rhinos through fundraising, volunteering, donating and much more with Save the Rhino here.
. You can help Rhinos through Adopting a Northern White Rhino with Helping Rhinos here.
. You can also help Rhinos through adopting a Rhino Orphan here.
. And you can help Rhinos by Adopting a Rhino with the WWF here.