Endangered RhinoJovana Kolasinac IV-4

Rhino PopulationAt the beginning of the 20th century there were 500,000 rhinos across Africa

and Asia. This fell to 70,000 by 1970 and further to just 29,000 in the wild today.

Despite this bleak picture, and the continuing threat of poaching for their

valuable horns, global rhino population figures have been increasing in recent

years.

In Asia the populations of Sumatran and Javan rhinos are extremely low and both species are listed as critically endangered. There are fewer than 100 Sumatran rhinos left in the wild, and efforts are now being invested in captive breeding in an attempt to boost the population.

Species of Rhino

The white rhinoThe Southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) was rescued from the brink of extinction and now numbers over 20,400 individuals, however sadly there are only five remaining Northern white rhinos(Ceratotherium simum cottoni) in the entire world.

Black RhinoThe smaller of the two African species, the black rhino is now critically endangered, with just 5,055 remaining in the wild. They are 'browsers' (eating trees, bushes and shrubs) with a specially-adapted upper lip that helps them to forage.Rhino fact:

Black rhino are most active during the night-time when most of their

foraging and drinking is done.

Rhino fun fact:

Black rhinos tend to be solitary in the wild. They are also known for

being the shyer and more aggressive of the two African species.

Greater one horned rhinoRhino fact

The greater one-horned rhino are good swimmers and can dive and

feed underwater

Rhino fun fact

The Mughal emperors of South Asia used the Greater one-horned

rhino in fights against elephants as entertainment. The rhinos would

often win. Thankfully, this sport is no longer practised or permitted.

Rhino fact

The greater one-horned rhino are good swimmers and can dive and

feed underwater

Rhino fun fact

The Mughal emperors of South Asia used the Greater one-horned

rhino in fights against elephants as entertainment. The rhinos would

often win. Thankfully, this sport is no longer practised or permitted.

Sumatran RhinoThe Sumatran rhino is the closest relative alive of the

famous woolly rhinoceros that lived during the ice-ages. It is

thought of as the most 'primitive' because of its hairy skin

and other ancient characteristics

Rhino fact

The greater one-horned rhino are good swimmers and can

dive and feed underwater

Rhino fun fact

The Mughal emperors of South Asia used the Greater one-

horned rhino in fights against elephants as entertainment.

The rhinos would often win. Thankfully, this sport is no

longer practised or permitted.

Javan RhinoRhino fact

The Javan rhino is possibly the rarest large mammal

on earth.

Rhino fun fact

The Javan rhino is more likely to run away from an

enemy than attack.The rarest of the rhino species, and possibly the rarest large mammal on earth, the Javan rhino can now only be found in Ujung Kulon National Park and has rarely ever been photographed. They are extremely vulnerable due to their small population size

Threats to RhinoRhinos were once found throughout Euroasia and Afria but their numbers have dropped dramatically due to

human activities. Today very few rhinos survive outside protected areas.

In recent years rhino numbers have dropped dramatically due to poaching for their horn which is prized in

Asian countries. They also face threats from habitat loss and political conflict. Ilegal poaching is the most

pressing cause of the decline in rhino populations, but habitat loss has also been a key factor.

In some locations, where normal law and order has broken down – particularly in war zones or where there is

political instability – it has become much easier for the poachers to kill rhinos and other endangered species.

Particular examples of places where political conflict has been matched by a rise in poaching include the

Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Nepal.

Habitat loss is a major threat to rhino populations. There are several ways in which this is manifested

including clearance of land for human settlement and agricultural production, logging, authorised and illegal.

This is a major threat to all species as wildlife needs space to live and survive. It is therefore also a major

barrier for rhino numbers to recover and increase.