- The global Rhinoceros population has seen a slight increase, but poaching continues to be a major threat, especially in South Africa, driven by demand for rhino horns.
- Poaching is driven by the belief in the medicinal properties of rhino horns.
- Other Threats for Rhinoceros apart from Poaching:
- Habitat Destruction
- Shrinkage of Habitat
- Invasive Species
- White rhinos increased from 15,942 in 2022 to 17,464 in 2023.
- Populations of black and greater one-horned rhinos remained unchanged.
- The northern white rhino is nearly extinct, with only two females in a private conservancy in Kenya.
- Trials are underway to develop embryos using collected eggs and sperm.
- Conservation efforts, such as creating sanctuaries, have helped increase rhino populations, as seen in Kenya, where numbers rose from 380 in 1986 to 1,000 in 2022.
- Environmental Role of Rhinos: Rhinos are essential to ecosystems as they create pathways for other herbivores and help establish forests by spreading seeds through their dung.
| Northern White Rhino | White Rhino | Black Rhino | Greater One-horned Rhino | Sumatran Rhino | Javan Rhino |
| Only 2 females Surviving in Protection | Population Increased to 17464 | Population Stable | Population Stable | Decreasing | Stable |
| Nearly Extinct | Near Threatened | Critically Endangered | Vulnerable | Critically Endangered | Critically Endangered |
Dig Deeper: Locate National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries inhabiting Rhinos in India along with efforts of Migration for Conservation.
