Northern White Rhino, One of Six left Worldwide, Dies At San Diego Zoo

A northern white rhino, one of the only six left in the world died at the San Diego Safari Park zoo, Sunday.

The rhino, named Angalifu died of age-related causes at 44 years.

"With Angalifu's passing, only five northern white rhinos are left on the planet, including Nola, our elderly female," the zoo said in a statement. There are no wildlife white rhinos in the wild and there are only a few left in captivity including one or two in conservation parks in Africa.

"Angalifu's death is a tremendous loss to all of us, not only because he was well beloved here at the park but also because his death brings this wonderful species one step closer to extinction," safari park curator Randy Rieches told the AP in a statement.

The white rhinos are on the brink of extinction with a male rhino, Suni, a part of a  breeding program, died in Kenya. At the time, the Dvur Kralove zoo called Suni "probably the last male capable of breeding."    

The northern white rhinos are distinct genetically from the southern white rhinos. Angalifu's sperms and testicular tissues have been preserved for artificial breeding programs.

The southern white rhino was earlier thought to be extinct till a small population was discovered in the wilds of Africa. A dedicated conservation program spread over a century has seen the revival of the species and now there are about 20,000 southern white rhinos in the world. Although poaching is a major threat to their existence still.