23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Northern White Rhino: A Species on the Brink

The Northern White Rhino is one of the rarest animals on Earth—now functionally extinct, with only a few individuals remaining under 24-hour protection. Standing before these giants is both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking. Their sheer presence, the weight of their history, and the fragility of their future are all written in the deep lines of their skin and the worn curves of their horns. Photographed in Kenya, this moment captures the quiet power and irreplaceable beauty of a species we are on the verge of losing forever.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Kenya
Camera: Canon EOS R5m2
Copyright: © LEIGHTON LUM