article_snippet.sent: The world's last surviving male northern white rhino - stripped of his horn for his own safety - is now under 24-hour armed guard in a desperate final bid to save the species.
article_snippet.sent: The 43-year-old rhino - who could live until his 50s - is the last chance for any future northern white rhino calves.
article_snippet.sent: The project left just five northern white rhinos in the world - and the three in Kenya are in particular danger.
article_snippet.sent: Just over half a century ago, there were 2,000 northern white rhinos; but 1984 there were only 15, all in the DRC, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
article_snippet.sent: 2,000 northern white rhinos were spotted in 2006.
article_snippet.sent: 2,000 northern white rhinos extinction has been fueled by the growing demand for ivory, which comes in large part from the Far East, where it is believed to be a cure for several ailments.
article_snippet.sent: However, keeping five northern white rhinos left safe is a costly business: the team of 40 cost £75,000 for six months.