There's a 24-hour armed guard protecting the world's last male northern white rhino

Sudan, the last known male northern white rhino, in 2009

(Image credit: AP Photo/Riccardo Gangale)

published 16 April 2015

In Kenya, armed rangers are guarding what is thought to be the world's last male northern white rhino around the clock while experts try to facilitate procreation, ABC News reports. The rhino, Sudan, is 42 years old and has been living at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya since 2009.

For years, northern white rhinos have been targeted by poachers who are looking to profit off the animal's distinctive horn. That's why Sudan is now flanked by armed guards around the clock, who have access to night-vision goggles and tracking dogs in order to ward off would-be poachers. Additionally, Ol Pejeta Conservancy CEO Richard Vigne told ABC News that officials shaved down part of Sudan's horn to make him less attractive to threats.

Sudan lives at the conservancy with two female rhinos, Najin and Fatu. The last two male rhinos passed in October and December of last year. "In Kenya, we have made progress in the last eight to 12 months," Vigne said. "Touch wood, it will continue."