Northern White Rhino

The last two northern white rhinos on Earth — Najin and Fatu, both females — live under 24-hour armed protection at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. The global effort to save their species is one of the most advanced and collaborative conservation projects ever undertaken, combining on-the-ground protection, veterinary care, and cutting-edge reproductive science.

Key Projects Protecting the Last Two Northern White Rhinos

1. Ol Pejeta Conservancy Protection Program (Kenya)

  • Home to Najin and Fatu, Ol Pejeta provides 24/7 armed security, surveillance, and veterinary support.
  • Rangers patrol the conservancy daily to prevent poaching and monitor the rhinos’ health and behavior.
  • The conservancy also manages habitat restoration and community engagement to ensure long-term ecosystem stability.

2. BioRescue Project (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Germany)

  • A scientific consortium working to bring back the northern white rhino using advanced reproductive technologies.
  • Scientists have created northern white rhino embryos using eggs from Fatu and frozen sperm from deceased males.
  • The ultimate goal is to implant these embryos into southern white rhino surrogates, potentially re-establishing a breeding population.

3. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Collaboration

  • KWS works with Ol Pejeta and international partners to ensure the rhinos’ protection aligns with national conservation strategies.
  • They oversee security, genetic resource management, and policy frameworks for species recovery.

4. Dvur Králové Zoo (Czech Republic)

  • The zoo previously cared for Najin and Fatu before their transfer to Kenya and continues to play a major role in the BioRescue genetic program, providing expertise and genetic material from the species’ remaining gene pool.

The Broader Mission
These projects represent a global alliance of scientists, conservationists, and local communities working to prevent extinction. While natural breeding is no longer possible, the combination of assisted reproduction, genetic preservation, and on-the-ground protection offers a real chance to bring the northern white rhino back from the edge.