Every Animal That Was Declared Extinct In 2018 (And Those Likely To Go In 2019)

The northern white rhino is a subspecies of the white rhinoceros, which used to inhabit the areas of eastern and central sub-Saharan Africa. The species is effectively extinct though two individuals remain alive in early 2019. The problem: they are both female, which makes the northern white rhino functionally extinct.

The last male of the species, Sudan, passed away at the Dvůr Králové Zoo on 19 March 2018. Prior to his passing, his sperm was harvested with the hopes of either cloning him one day or possibly inseminating one of the two remaining females, but neither are believed capable of carrying a baby to term due to previous miscarriages.

Because of this, the northern white rhino's hopes of surviving much longer are essentially gone. The reason this large majestic species no longer exists falls squarely on humans who poached them to (near) extinction.

Rhinos of all species are poached for their horns, which can reach as much as $50,000 per kilogram. The animals are shot from a distance and their horns are removed to leave their carcasses to rot under the hot African sun. Numerous efforts were put in place to conserve the species from poaching to include captive breeding programs, but ultimately, the species will not survive much longer.