The Black Rhino, Diceros bicornis, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. The smaller of the two African species, it occurs throughout southern and eastern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Angola.

Between 1970 and 1992, the Black Rhino suffered a 96% reduction in numbers, with total numbers dipping as low as around 2,400. The increase in poaching has arisen from the escalating demand in the use of rhino horn in Asia (for Chinese traditional medicine), and the Far East (for traditional dagger handles), which has triggered an upsurge in black market prices. Other threats include habitat changes, competing species and alien plant invasions. Civil unrest, the free flow of weapons and better communication systems in Africa have also had a significant impact on the conservation efforts of rhinos.

The recovery of Black Rhino populations has been largely due to their effective protection and the translocation of surplus rhinos to re-establish viable populations within their former range. Being listed on CITES Appendix 1, which has prohibited all international commercial trade in Black Rhino horn, has been an additional positive influence. In January 2014, a permit to hunt a Black Rhino in Namibia was auctioned for $350,000 to raise money for conservation efforts. The auction drew widespread criticism, as well as death threats.

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Geographical range

Black Rhino Diceros bicornis