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The last male northern white rhino must now be kept under armed guard 24/7 | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The last male northern white rhino is under armed guard 24 hours a day at a Kenyan reserve to protect him from poachers. | |
The rhino, named Sudan, is cared for by rangers at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, along with his two female companions. | |
The trio make up three of the last five northern white rhinos on earth – two other females are also in captivity. | |
Sudan is fitted with radio transmitters to increase security and has had his horns removed to deter poachers. | Sudan is fitted with radio transmitters to increase security and has had his horns removed to deter poachers. |
“With the rising demand for rhino horn and ivory, we face many poaching attempts and while we manage to counter a large number of these, we often risk our lives in the line of duty,” said one of Sudan’s rangers, Simor Irungu in an interview with UK's World of Animals. | “With the rising demand for rhino horn and ivory, we face many poaching attempts and while we manage to counter a large number of these, we often risk our lives in the line of duty,” said one of Sudan’s rangers, Simor Irungu in an interview with UK's World of Animals. |
The two females, Najin and Fatu at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy | The two females, Najin and Fatu at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy |
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there were more than 2,000 northern white rhinos as late as 1960. | According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there were more than 2,000 northern white rhinos as late as 1960. |
However, high levels of poaching mean that there were only 15 animals left in 1980, and only five by 2015. | However, high levels of poaching mean that there were only 15 animals left in 1980, and only five by 2015. |
Kenya Wildlife services have suggested that 54 rhinos were killed by poachers in 2014. | Kenya Wildlife services have suggested that 54 rhinos were killed by poachers in 2014. |
The only other male northern white rhino left on earth died last autumn, of natural causes. | |
Scientists are now turning their attention to trying to mate Sudan with one of the other two females at the reserve. | Scientists are now turning their attention to trying to mate Sudan with one of the other two females at the reserve. |