There are approximately 17,464 white rhinos left in the wild as of the end of 2023, primarily southern white rhinos spread across 11 African countries
. The white rhino species is divided into two subspecies:
- Southern white rhino: The majority of the population, about 17,462 individuals, mostly found in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. This subspecies has recovered significantly from near extinction in the early 1900s due to conservation efforts
- Northern white rhino: Critically endangered and functionally extinct in terms of natural reproduction, with only two females remaining alive, both unable to reproduce naturally. The last male died in 2018
In summary, while the southern white rhino population is stable and increasing slightly, the northern white rhino subspecies is on the brink of extinction with only two females left
