Male white rhinoceroses, Lake Nakuru, Kenya

© Ingo Arndt/Minden Picture

On the frontline of extinction. Wildlife Conservation Day

It's Wildlife Conservation Day—an important reminder to celebrate and defend our planet's incredible biodiversity. Many species face extinction, including African forest elephants, Cross River gorillas, saolas and Yangtze finless porpoises. Since its launch in 2012, this special day has highlighted the illegal wildlife trade and other threats that animals face. It also draws attention to the need for stronger long-term solutions.

The journey of the white rhinoceros, featured in today's image, illustrates the importance of conservation efforts. They have two subspecies: the near-threatened southern white rhinoceros and the critically endangered northern white rhinoceros. In the late 19th century, the southern white rhino, found in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya, was on the brink of extinction due to relentless poaching for their horns. But thanks to more than a century of dedicated management, their numbers have bounced back significantly. Unfortunately, the northern white rhino is in a precarious situation, with only two left—a mother and daughter. They're now under protection at Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy.