The Northern white rhino has been reported as extinct in the wild today.

Poachers have slaughtered the last four individuals of the rare white rhino subspecies, Ceratotherium simum cottoni.

From the Times Online:

The last four northern white rhinoceros remaining in the wild are feared to have been killed for their horns by poachers and are now believed to be extinct in the wild.

Who is behind the rampant rhino poaching?

The illegal killing of rhinos continues because the market for rhino horn is thriving in China. Chinese culture supports the myth that rhino horn has medicinal properties – despite the fact there is no scientific evidence to support such nonsense.

In 2006 that the Western African Black Rhino was declared extinct, each and every last one slaughtered for their horns.

We must do a better job of protecting the creatures that share the planet with us.