Caretakers Guard The Last Two Northern White Rhinos In The World

• The two white rhinos, which are both females, are under the close guard of their caretakers in Ol Pejeta conservancy in Laikipia Country, Kenya.
• The mother and daughter pair are roaming safely around a large and protected area and constantly monitored by armed National Police Reservists 24 hours a day.
• The protectors live away from their families since they work “twenty days on and six days off at the conservancy.”

There are now only two remaining northern white rhinos in the world, a heartbreaking result of poaching and illegal hunting. Because of this, these these animals are now being watched closely to prevent them from being killed by poachers.

The two white rhinos, which are both females, are under the close guard of their caretakers in Ol Pejeta conservancy in Laikipia Country, Kenya. The mother and daughter pair are roaming safely around a large and protected area and constantly monitored by armed National Police Reservists 24 hours a day.

Justin Mott, a wildlife photographer from Rhode Island, took stunning pictures of the endangered pair as part of a series titled Kindred Guardians, which focuses on people who dedicate their lives to wildlife conservation.

Mott explained that there was no hope for producing more northern white rhinos because the last male one already died.

“In 2018, Sudan, the last remaining male northern white rhino passed away of natural causes at the Ol Pejeta conservancy in Laikipia County, Kenya, thus dooming the existence of their subspecies,” Mott said.

“Not far from Sudan’s grave lives Fatu and Najin – mother and daughter – the last known living northern white rhinos on the planet.”

However, it was reported previously that the female rhinos will undergo IVF, in hopes that the pair can carry on the species.

Conservationist James Mwenda said: “That is the hope we have. That is what we want to hear- that Sudan and the northern white rhinos are being resurrected.
We rely on it so much, and we are waiting, fingers crossed.”

Mott said that the caretakers and protectors live in a small bush camp where they can always keep an eye out for Fatu and Najin. These people live away from their families since they work “twenty days on and six days off at the conservancy.”

Nevertheless, they take great pride and honor in their work, serving as heroes in their sacrifice for the animals.

Globally, multiple species of rhinos are declining. What makes the white rhino particularly notable is the fact that it’s the second-largest land mammal in the world after the African elephant.