![]() Two species are native to Africa: the Black Rhino ( Diceros bicornis) and the White Rhino ( Ceratotherium simum). There are 5 species of Rhino, full name Rhinoceros, in the odd-toed ungulate family Rhinocerotidae. The world’s last remaining population of Javan rhinos remained stable but faced threats including human encroachment and insufficient habitat.Įxperts estimated a 13% decline for Sumatran rhinos. The greater one-horned rhino population surpassed 4,000 individuals in India and Nepal. ![]() Scientists working to bring back the functionally extinct Northern White Rino announced they had successfully created additional embryos of the subspecies, bringing the total to 22.Īfrica’s black rhino population grew across the continent. The State of the Rhino 2022 (International Rhino Foundation)Īfter a decline due largely to Covid border closures and lockdowns, rhino poaching is again on the rise, driven by rhino horn illegal trade of approximately 1000 horns/year.Īfrica’s white rhino population, under pressure from poaching, continues to decline. Today, rhino numbers are estimated at 26,266 (IRF, 2022) – an increase of 30%+, but again decreasing. In 2007, roughly 20-21,000 rhinos roamed Earth. Thankfully rhino conservation has seen success. As a deterrent, in Vietnam, authorities have worked to secure longer sentences for wildlife criminals, and local communities generally need to be included as active participants in wildlife conservation and receive economic incentives that improve livelihoods.Ĭhanging climate situations are also impacting rhino habitat, including an increase in invasive plant species taking over grasslands and the loss of traditional water holes due to dryer conditions. And while poaching is often the most visible and understood part of wildlife crime, the transport, trade and sale of illegal rhino horn – from a protected area, across provincial boundaries and national borders to the end consumer – requires law enforcement coordination between countries vital to breaking the hold of international criminal syndicates. State and private rhino owners are increasingly dehorning rhinos to deter poachers. Sadly, with restrictions now lifted, but worsening economic challenges for anti-poaching and poachers alike, poaching is on the rise again, seeing 259 rhinos poached for their horns in the first six months of 2022 (IRF, 2022). This may demonstrate that anti-poaching work having an effect, or that with significantly fewer rhinos surviving in the wild, it is getting harder for poachers to locate their prey, plus the impacts of Covid-19 lockdowns, reducing poaching rates from 3.9% of the population in 2018 to 2.3% in 2021 (IRF, 2022). Thankfully, there was a decrease in the rate of poaching across Africa in the 5 years 2017-2022, with 2,707 rhinos poached. In the 2010-2020 decade, 9,442 African rhinos were lost to poaching. ![]() Around 2013, the poaching crisis extended to other countries such as Kenya and Namibia (Save The Rhino). The South Africa poaching crisis began in 2007, with 9000% increase in rhino poaching 2007-2014 and more than 1000 rhinos killed each year 2013-2017 to a peak of 1,349 in 2015: 90% of African rhinos poached are in South Africa, and around 50% are poached in Kruger National Park. The rhino poaching crisis began in Zimbabwe, facilitated by the difficult socio-economic and political climate, but soon turned to South Africa, the country hit hardest as it holds nearly 80% of the world’s rhinos. World Rhino Day was first announced by WWF-South Africa in 2010, growing in 2011 into an international success, encompassing both African and Asian Rhino species, and uniting concerned organisations, businesses and individuals from all around the world. What’s the state of the Rhino? World Rhino Day is celebrated on September 22nd every year, enabling cause-related organisations such as The International Rhino Federation to raise awareness of the plight of the rhino and highlight its issues. First published 18/9/18, updated annually ![]()
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