50 Cent and a Rhinoceros Have Something in Common

A South African animal rights group wants 50 Cent to take on a new pet: a rhinoceros. The community policing group, eBlockwatch, is reaching out to the Queen's rapper to become a "godfather" to the animal who seems to have a little bit in common with 50. Like 50, the rhino, named Phila, has been shot nine times ... and survived.

After surviving the latest of two attacks from poachers earlier this year, Phila could use a little protection and according to eBlockwatch, 50 Cent is just the man for the job. "We want to ask him if he wants to become the godfather of our rhino so that he can create awareness worldwide about rhino poaching," said Andre Snyman, a spokesperson for the company. In hopes of enticing 50 into the deal, the group has also renamed Phila "1 Pound," because she's "bigger than 50 Cent."

The endangered animal was attacked in July, and shot twice, alongside another rhino that died. In an attempt to throw off hunters, Phila's owners removed her horn, which is in high demand, on the black market. According to the World Wildlife Fund, rhino poaching has increased dramatically in the past two years. South Africa houses 90 percent of the world's rhino population and has become a hot spot for rhino poaching. Last month South African police arrested 11 members of a suspected poaching ring. This year alone, an estimated 204 rhinos have been killed in the country.

While 50 has yet to reply to the invitation to adopt Phila, he doesn't seem to respond very well to companies using his name to get attention. In 2008, 50 successfully sued Taco Bell for illegal use of his name in their advertising asking him to change his name to 79 cent, 89 cent or 99 cent to promote items on their menu for less than a dollar.