Poaching is a challenge faced by a number of species on the planet. It?s where people hunt and kill various wind animals for sport or trophies or as a result of misguided beliefs. Kenya has been a victim of extreme poaching for many decades. The result of this has been the death and greatly declined numbers of these species. The most widely poached species in Kenya are the Elephants and the Rhinos. There are two general rhino species distinguished by the shape of their mouth... The Black Rhino with a pointed lip and the White Rhino with a wide, square shaped lip. Of the white rhino species there are the Northern and Southern subspecies.

Rhinos have been poached as a result of great demand for its horn from Far East nations fueled by the belief that it can cure various diseases and ailments ranging from headaches, hangovers or even cancer! As a result, many of the Rhinos of Africa have been poached heavily.

The most affected is the Northern White Rhino. This poor species has been poached to an extent that there were only 6 of them left in the entire world. One female in a San Diego zoo, another female in a Czech Republic zoo, 2 females and 2 males in Kenya. Unfortunately one of the two males passed away last year. There are now only 5 of them in the whole world, 4 females and 1 male.

The 4 rhinos in Kenya were brought here in 2009 with an aim of providing them with favorable breeding conditions to bring them from the verge of extinction. When one of the males, Angalifu, passed away, the pressure became more intense because there is only one male left in the world. On top of that, this rhino named Sudan, is 38 years old. The life expectancy for rhinos is 40-50 years, therefore his capacity to procreate is very low. One of the females, Najin has weak hind legs and can?t endure breeding attempts. The other female, Fatu, is infertile.

Circumstances are very unfavorable and it will literally take a miracle to save the species. With the clock ticking, veterinarians in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where they are kept, might have to soon result to artificial methods to help bring a new generation and eventually revive the species. Should time run out unexpectedly, they may have to cross a female northern with a male southern creating an all new species.

It?s very unfortunate that the human greed has brought this poor animal this close to its end. Armed guards have to observe and protect the last surviving male Northern White rhino 24/7 because even at this sad and critical moment, he is still at risk of being poached, with an even higher bounty on him. His horn is trimmed small to deter poachers, however he shouldn't have to lose such a major part of is identity as a rhino. Let us all join in the fight against poaching and ensure that no other species is brought this close to the brink of extinction.

Kindly share this link to help raise funds for the conservation of this species:  http://www.gofundme.com/olpejeta