Among the large mammal species inhabiting the vast Garamba savannas in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the rarest and most endangered species in Africa is the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni). 
Larger than the black rhinoceros and having a heavier build, it is characterized by its square jaw. The term “white” is derived not from its color, but from the Afrikaans word “wyd” (meaning “wide”), which refers to its broad mouth. In fact, its color is a dark gray and sometimes reddish-brown due to the mud in which it often wallows. To protect this species, Garamba National Park was established in 1938 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
Thanks to a collaborative project involving WWF (World Wildlife Fund), Frankfurt Zoo (Federal Republic of Germany), the Nature Conservation Institute of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and UNESCO under the framework of the Convention, the population of northern white rhinoceroses, which had plummeted to a critical low of just 10 individuals in 1985, has now increased to 20. This project has been ongoing for many years, primarily aimed at combating poaching.
The park spans 4,480 km2 and is home to other wildlife such as hippopotamuses, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and leopards. The balance between trees and grass is maintained through preventative burning, which allows the grasslands to regenerate and provide food for the animals.
