The Northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) is one of two subspecies of the white rhinoceros, belonging to the family Rhinocerotidae within the order Perissodactyla. Historically it ranged across the savannas and grasslands of central and eastern Africa, from Uganda and South Sudan to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. Unlike its southern counterpart, the northern form possessed a slightly broader skull and a more pronounced, square‑shaped mouth adapted for grazing. Its skin is thick, grey, and folds into large, armor‑like plates that protect against thorns and insect bites. The subspecies prefers open woodlands and flood‑plain grasslands where water and abundant grasses are available year‑round. By the early 20th century, hunting for horns and habitat conversion reduced numbers dramatically; the last wild individuals disappeared in the early 2000s, leaving only two captive females at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Conservation efforts now focus on assisted reproductive technologies, including in‑vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer, to rescue the genome from extinction. The northern white rhino remains a symbol of the urgent need for anti‑poaching measures and habitat protection across Africa.

Northern white rhinos are largely solitary, with adult males establishing and defending territories that can span 30–50 km², while females and their offspring maintain overlapping home ranges. Social interactions are brief and centered on mating, mother‑calf bonding, and occasional all‑grooming at waterholes. The species is primarily diurnal, spending mornings and late afternoons grazing on short grasses, and resting in shade during the hottest hours. Communication relies on a repertoire of low‑frequency vocalisations, such as grunts, snorts, and the distinctive “hee‑hee” call used by mothers to locate calves. Scent marking with urine and dung piles conveys individual identity and reproductive status. Seasonal rains trigger migrations to newly sprouted grass, but the limited numbers of the northern subspecies have curtailed any large‑scale movements, making them highly dependent on managed reserves for water and forage.

The northern white rhinoceros is a strict herbivore, feeding almost exclusively on short, succulent grasses such as Hyparrhenia spp., Pennisetum purpureum, and Themeda triandra. An adult consumes 30–50 kg of forage daily, selecting grasses with high moisture content to meet its water requirements. Feeding occurs in short bouts throughout the day, with the animal using its wide, square mouth to clip grass close to the ground. Occasionally, it supplements its diet with leaves, twigs, and aquatic plants during the dry season when grass quality declines. The rhino’s large, fermentative hindgut allows efficient digestion of cellulose, extracting up to 60 % of the energy from fibrous material. In managed reserves, supplemental hay and mineral blocks are provided to ensure nutritional balance, especially for pregnant or lactating females.

Females reach sexual maturity at 6–7 years, while males mature slightly later at 8–9 years. Breeding occurs year‑round, but peaks during the rainy season when fresh grass is abundant. The gestation period lasts 15–16 months, after which a single calf is born, weighing 45–65 kg. Calves remain with their mothers for 2–3 years, nursing for up to 6 months before transitioning to solid vegetation. Maternal care includes constant protection from predators and guidance to high‑quality grazing sites. In the wild, calf mortality averages 20 % due to predation and disease, but in captivity mortality drops below 5 % thanks to veterinary support. The northern white rhino’s extremely low population (two females) has forced scientists to explore assisted reproductive techniques, including artificial insemination with frozen sperm from deceased males and embryo transfer into surrogate southern white rhino females.

The IUCN classifies the northern white rhinoceros as Critically Endangered, with the wild population considered extinct since 2010. Poaching for horns, driven by illegal wildlife trade, eliminated the majority of individuals throughout the 20th century. Habitat loss from agricultural expansion, mining, and civil conflict further fragmented the remaining range, reducing access to water and high‑quality grazing. With only two females remaining, genetic bottlenecking poses a severe risk to any future population, limiting reproductive success and increasing susceptibility to disease. Conservation strategies now centre on ex‑situ breeding, cryopreservation of gametes, and the development of surrogate southern white rhino mothers. International collaborations, such as the Northern White Rhino Conservation Project, aim to re‑introduce genetically viable offspring into protected African reserves once sufficient numbers are achieved.

• The northern white rhino is the only large mammal with only two known living individuals, both females.
• Its horns are made of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails.
• The subspecies once numbered over 10,000 individuals before the 20th‑century poaching crisis.
• Scientists have successfully created embryos using frozen sperm from males that died decades ago.
• The last known wild sighting occurred in Garamba National Park, DRC, in 2000.