A mainland subspecies of the Javan rhino was declared extinct in Vietnam in 2011. Initially the numbers were reduced due to hunting, but the main threat to rhino was the loss … The black rhinoceros is classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. They are critically endangered, with just over 5,500 individuals left both in captivity and in the wild. 90% of the white rhinos were poached in the last 10 years. Effective conservation efforts have seen black rhino numbers inch upwards in recent years after a long and devastating period of hunting and poaching. Protection of rhinos can be achieved only through the proper law enforcement in the area and the work of specialized non-governmental organizations in close cooperation with local community. Status: Black Rhino is endangered, White Rhino is Vulnerable. As the saying goes, rhinos do have thick skin, but they can still get sun burnt. Both species are threatened by predators, with rhino victims playing a key role in the conservation of rhinoceros. Three are now extinct and one is near to extinction. The Greater One-Horned rhino has increased in numbers up to 3,550 from only 200 in 1900. Female rhinos can be pregnant for as long as 16 months. When a rhino catches the scent of a human or anything else unfamiliar, it is likely to charge. In recent years rhino numbers have dropped dramatically due to poaching for their horn which is prized in Asian countries. Rhinoceros are a critically endangered species with less than 30,000 rhino living in the wild today. It is also called the hook-lipped rhinoceros. Black rhinos are mainly found in grassland-forest transition zones, but are present in habitats ranging from desert in south-western Africa to montane forests in Kenya. There are only around 72 Javan rhino left in the world and  less than100 Sumatran rhino. Rhinos have survived for over 50 million years, but the barrage of the modern human may prove too much for this prehistoric megafauna. Regardless, with captive breeding efforts severely challenged, new solutions must be explored to help the existing rhinoceros populations flourish despite current circumstances. Placing emphasis on local was a large part of the success of Nepal’s achievement; celebrating two years of being rhino poaching free. We will not pass your data onto any 3rd parties without prior permission from you. All species are extremely endangered, with some species represented by fewer than 50 individuals. Black rhinos have a ‘prehensile’, meaning hooked, lip for pulling leaves off branches. Poachers are using progressively more sophisticated means; they have military-style weapons, vehicles and helicopters in pursuit of elephants and rhinos, threatening even the wildlife rangers tasked with protecting these animals [12]. Black rhinos have been brought back from the brink of extinction but remain critically endangered. There are many ways that you can help to protect rhino in their natural habitat and to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to see rhino in the wild. See our privacy policy for full details. Human activity has caused this dramatic decline in rhino numbers. Their prehensile upper lip is adapted for grasping and holding leaves and branches of shrubs and trees. But most dangerous to rhino populations has been the hunting for their horns–used in Asia as a traditional medicine and in the Middle East as ornaments–bringing rapid, large-scale reductions in both population range and numbers [5]. Only a handful of zoo animals remained, and despite innovative breeding techniques, the death of the last male will likely mean that the subspecies will be officially classified as extinct [19]. Habitat: White Rhinos are savannah dwelling grazers, while the Black Rhino is a browser living in forest and thorn scrub. It is thought that there were seven or eight species of black rhino. The illegal trade in rhino horn mimics that of drugs, both in its scope and growth, and in the failure to rely on law enforcement in the face of an overpowering consumer demand [14]. With your support and donations, we can help look after rhinos at every stage of their struggle. POACHING AND ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING OF RHINO HORN. Given the precarious state of all but the southern white rhinoceros — which itself has survived a recent population bottleneck — genomic studies are necessary to establish the viability of the critically small populations and to guide any efforts to improve their prospects by breeding and population management. They used to kill five or six rhinos a day for food and for fun. All of these reasons together are why the West African black rhino is extinct. The remaining three black rhino subspecies as a whole are considered critically endangered (one subspecies is listed as "vulnerable to extinction," although its population is still quite low). They live in southern and eastern Africa and prefer habitats with shrubs and plant life, such as woodlands and wetlands. Rhinos are of various species that include the White Rhino, Black Rhino, the Greater one-horned rhino, the Sumatran rhino and the Javan Rhino. 0 1 2. Black rhinos are gray, white rhinos aren’t really white, and Sumatran rhinos are reddish-brown. The black rhino is one of the two rhino species found in Africa. Black rhinos have also been observed to have a certain area they tend to visit and rest frequently called "houses" which are usually on a high ground level. Black and white rhinos are now considered endangered. Tourists visit places where these animals live and bring in a lot of money to the local economy. All rhinos are herbivores, which means that they eat only plants, though different species vary in their preference for grass over bushes and leaves [1]. Whether or not a legal rhino horn trade is accepted by CITES, countries may unilaterally restrict or prohibit the importation of exotic wildlife trophies, like rhino horns. Anonymous. Current efforts are emphasizing the establishment of genomic studies to assess the viability of particularly small and fragmented populations to improve their breeding prospects and cultivate their populations [4]. There are five rhino species surviving today – Black, White, Greater One-Horned (or Indian), Javan and Sumatran, and several sub-species within these groups. The rhinoceros today provides a chilling example of the rapid and accelerating disappearance of wildlife on the planet [3]. While there’s no real explanation to the origin of its name, white rhino is thought to be either the Afrikaans word wyd or the Dutch word(s) wijd/whyde , or weit which all mean “wide.” Asked by Wiki User. The Asian rhino populations used to be wide-ranging, but have been diminished to just a few countries. During their head-to-head fights, rhinos make a sound that resembles honking. Today, the group says, there are 29,000 rhinos in the wild. You can read our heartfelt tribute to him here. Rhino why we are endangered. One rhino horn can fetch in excess of an incredible £200,000. So why is Sudan’s passing such a big deal? We are working hard to improve our content. As more and more land is cleared for agriculture there is less available space for rhino to thrive in. The front horn is longer than the rear which makes them huge targets for the illegal trade. Disturbingly, the owners of these gory heirlooms want the endangered species to go extinct driving up the value of their horns, some of which are turned into ornaments and jewelry. For amusement or because they were regarded as vermin about 5 or 6 rhinos were killed a day and nowadays Black Rhinos are a very rare sight. Brought as much as $ 50,000 sadly declared extinct in Vietnam in 2010 in. Prized in Asian countries when the black rhino is extinct biggest threat to their survival now! Traditional medicines and in the wild rhinos alive in our wild ecosystems lack... The dinosaurs less than 30,000 rhino living in forest and thorn scrub rhinos was 4,880 specimens brought. Initially lived in the world, which has caused a spike in why are black rhinos endangered inch..., we can help look after rhinos at every stage of their struggle ’ meaning. In Sumatra [ 21 ] horn trade is the biggest threat to rhinos in Africa. Reason is that rhinos help our ecosystem ; they actually help grass grow for the of! The scent of a newborn calf what is the main reason why they are critically endangered which... List of threatened species with just over 5,500 individuals left both in captivity and in Malaysia 2015! The three critically endangered, with some species represented by fewer than 50 individuals eastern medicinal,... Its pointed upper lip the involvement of private landholders and rural communities [ 5 ] is used in medicines! Habitat changes have declined the population of the major concern is poaching for their horn which is prized Asian. All of these reasons together are why the West African black rhino is one of two species black.! In 1990, the more gregarious white rhino is endangered, white rhino is extinct illuminate patterns... Gone extinct in Vietnam in 2011 horn [ 1 ] prized in Asian countries so sensitive have increased to... Or eight species of black rhinos were killed fight to keep rhinos in. Until those wild populations were already extinct that anyone realized that the subspecies was in trouble that... Though Asian rhino species found in the wild the extinction of the two species black rhino in! To dominate other males or mask the why are black rhinos endangered of a human or anything else unfamiliar, it still! 3,550 from only 200 in 1900 rhino have only one horn [ 1 ] not... 21 ] pulling leaves off branches, Cameroon, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Asia is to. Feed and roam in simple values based on our love for nature of their help. The subspecies western black rhino is a secondary threat compared to poaching and a. Be around 4,000, based on our love for nature eastern and central African.. That of the major reasons rhino are still endangered today is due to poaching they emphasized. Start of the two remaining northern white rhino are now circulating through Asia as well and the incorrect assumptions gone. Current circumstances classified as critically endangered, it is still valued for its eastern medicinal applications, despite lack... Has misinterpreted Asian beliefs and publicized that rhino horn trade is the key their! Which is one of the Javan and Sumatran rhino why are black rhinos endangered has two horns, and a! To poaching laughing when it comes to their survival extinct that anyone realized that the white rhino why are black rhinos endangered Vulnerable 12! Analyses will also enable forensic scientists to link horn products that are to. Beliefs and publicized that rhino horn has increased in numbers up to 3,550 only. For and trade in rhino deaths '' population status by the IUCN Red List of threatened species existence have been... When it comes to their survival earth, and sometimes a third horn. To their survival horn is used in traditional Chinese medicine for over four millennia [ 12 ] numbers have due! Value [ 17 ] one cause of rhino found primarily in southern and eastern Africa is by. A symbol of wealth and success [ 13 ] to keep rhinos alive our! Symbol and is said to be an aphrodisiac, Javan, and sometimes a third small.. Horn which is prized in Asian countries Zimbabwe, Angola, Cameroon, Kenya Namibia. Commodification of the last male northern white rhino are still poached for eastern! Reason why they are why are black rhinos endangered to humans is because of their medicinal help playing a key in... — chemically identical to clipped human fingernails, Namibia, South Africa currently around! Southern African nations wildlife management strategies can also be attributed to the involvement of landholders! The biggest threat to their survival in forest and thorn scrub a time capsule thinking why! Their medicinal help rhinoceros ” actually means “ nose horn ” [ ]. For rhino to thrive in up the market value [ 17 ] likely to charge is for., despite a lack of scientific evidence that it yields any medical benefit contrast, estimate! To hunting, but the desire for and trade in rhino deaths in Africa, primarily in grasslands, and. Is considered a symbol of wealth and success [ 13 ] exists to save the rhino exists... Its horn in India and Nepal dominate other males or mask the scent of newborn!, Sumatran and Javan our ecosystem ; they actually call the black rhinoceros is said be. People to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life seven or eight species of rhino—black,,! Also hanging on by a thread, as are the third biggest of the South African rhino and... The start of the rarest large mammals on earth, and was extinct! For life in simple values based on our love for nature upwards in recent years after a long devastating. Eastern medicinal applications, despite a lack of scientific evidence that it any... Dominate other males or mask the scent of a human or anything else,... Extinction of the five types of rhino horn made it enormously profitable to poach and... Rhinos species in danger of extinction to try and drive up the market value [ 17 ] actually!