Ceratotherium simum

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	PERISSODACTYLA	RHINOCEROTIDAE

Scientific Name:

Ceratotherium simum

Species Authority:

(Burchell, 1817)

Infra-specific Taxa Assessed:

See Ceratotherium simum ssp. cottoni

See Ceratotherium simum ssp. simum

Common Name/s:

English	–	White Rhinoceros, Northern White Rhinoceros, Square-lipped Rhinoceros
French	–	Rhinocéros Blanc Du Nord
Spanish	–	Rinoceronte Blanco Del Norte

Taxonomic Notes:

Two subspecies are recognized: the Southern White Rhino C. s. simum in southern Africa, and Northern White Rhino C. s. cottoni, now known only from northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

IUCN SSC African Rhino Specialist Group

Evaluator/s:

Hoffmann, M. & Stuart, S.N. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
The reason for rating this species as Near Threatened and not Least Concern is due to the continued poaching threat and high illegal demand for horn (as determined from intelligence gathering by wildlife investigators). Current successful protection efforts have depended on significant range state expenditure and effort and if these were to decline (especially in South Africa) rampant poaching could seriously threaten numbers (well in excess of 30% over three generations). Declining state budgets for conservation in real terms, declining capacity in some areas and increasing involvement of SE Asians in Africa are all of concern. Poaching levels are also increasing in Zimbabwe. In the absence of conservation measures, within five years the species would quickly meet the threshold for C1 under Vulnerable, and potentially also criterion A3 if poaching were to take off in other range states.

History:

2003	–	Near Threatened (IUCN 2003)
2002	–	Near Threatened
1996	–	Lower Risk/conservation dependent
1994	–	Vulnerable (IUCN)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Two subspecies of White Rhinoceros are recognized, the northern and the southern, each having a strikingly discontinuous range. The Northern White Rhino used to range over parts of north-western Uganda, southern Chad, south-western Sudan, the eastern part of Central African Republic, and north-eastern DR Congo (Sydney 1965). The only confirmed population today occurs in the Garamba National Park in north-eastern DR Congo. There have been unconfirmed reports of rhino in southern Sudan, and surveys are planned. The Southern White Rhino is now the most numerous of the rhino taxa, with South Africa remaining the stronghold for this subspecies, with sizeable populations in the Kruger N.P. and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, but also occurring in numerous state protected areas and private reserves (some of which are also well protected) throughout the country. There are smaller reintroduced populations within the historical range of the species in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Swaziland, while a small population survives in Mozambique. Populations have also been introduced outside of the former range of the species to Kenya, Uganda (meaning that the species as a whole has been reintroduced to this country) and to Zambia (Emslie and Brooks 1999; Emslie et al. 2007). Note: At the request of certain members, the AfRSG has a policy of not releasing detailed information on the wherabouts of all rhino populations for security reasons. For this reason, only whole countries are shaded on the map.
Countries:	Native: Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; South Africa Possibly extinct: Sudan Regionally extinct: Central African Republic; Chad Reintroduced: Botswana; Mozambique; Namibia; Swaziland; Uganda; Zimbabwe Introduced: Kenya; Zambia
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	As of 31 December 2007, there were an estimated 17,480 White Rhino in the wild (see Table 1). As of Dec 2005 there were an estimated 760 in captivityworldwide (750 C. s. simum and 9 C. s. cottoni). The majority (98.8%) of White Rhino occur in just four countries (South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya) (AfRSG data 2008). Once widespread in the bushveld areas of southern Africa south of the Zambezi river, the Southern White Rhino was on the brink of extinction by the end of the 19th century having been reduced to just one small population of approximately 20+ animals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. However, by 2007, after years of protection and many translocations, the subspecies has grown to 17,480 wild animals. South Africa remains the stronghold for this subspecies (93.0%) conserving 16,255 individuals in 2007. Smaller reintroduced populations occur within former range states in Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe; populations of free-ranging Southern White Rhino have also been established outside their historical range in Kenya, Zambia (Emslie and Brooks 1999) and more recently Uganda. The 3,398 White Rhinos located on private property in South Africa iin 2004 was up from the 2,842 in 2002 with the number of private landowners also increasing from 180 in1999 up to 318 in 2004 (Knight 2006). Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya are the only other countries with over 300 wild Southern White Rhino, and together they conserve 82.5% of the subspecies outside of South Africa. Côte d'Ivoire is not considered part of the White Rhino's range, since the population here is considered to be out of range and "semi-captive" (Emslie and Brooks, in litt). Northern White Rhino (C. s. cottoni) numbers have declined rapidly from 30 in April 2003 due to an upsurge in poaching in the only confirmed surviving wild population in Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and surveys in 2006 confirmed the presence of only four rhinos (Emslie et al. 2007). Numbers are believed to have stood at around 2,360 in 1960 (Emslie and Brooks 1999).
Population Trend:	Increasing

Population:

As of 31 December 2007, there were an estimated 17,480 White Rhino in the wild (see Table 1). As of Dec 2005 there were an estimated 760 in captivityworldwide (750 C. s. simum and 9 C. s. cottoni). The majority (98.8%) of White Rhino occur in just four countries (South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya) (AfRSG data 2008).

Once widespread in the bushveld areas of southern Africa south of the Zambezi river, the Southern White Rhino was on the brink of extinction by the end of the 19th century having been reduced to just one small population of approximately 20+ animals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. However, by 2007, after years of protection and many translocations, the subspecies has grown to 17,480 wild animals. South Africa remains the stronghold for this subspecies (93.0%) conserving 16,255 individuals in 2007. Smaller reintroduced populations occur within former range states in Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe; populations of free-ranging Southern White Rhino have also been established outside their historical range in Kenya, Zambia (Emslie and Brooks 1999) and more recently Uganda. The 3,398 White Rhinos located on private property in South Africa iin 2004 was up from the 2,842 in 2002 with the number of private landowners also increasing from 180 in1999 up to 318 in 2004 (Knight 2006). Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya are the only other countries with over 300 wild Southern White Rhino, and together they conserve 82.5% of the subspecies outside of South Africa. Côte d'Ivoire is not considered part of the White Rhino's range, since the population here is considered to be out of range and "semi-captive" (Emslie and Brooks, in litt).

Northern White Rhino (C. s. cottoni) numbers have declined rapidly from 30 in April 2003 due to an upsurge in poaching in the only confirmed surviving wild population in Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and surveys in 2006 confirmed the presence of only four rhinos (Emslie et al. 2007). Numbers are believed to have stood at around 2,360 in 1960 (Emslie and Brooks 1999).

Population Trend:

Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The species is found in grassland in bushveld savanna habitats.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	One of the main threats to the population is illegal hunting (poaching) for the international rhino horn trade. Rhino horn has two main uses: traditional use in Chinese medicine, and ornamental use (for example, rhino horn is a highly prized material for making ornately carved handles for ceremonial daggers (jambiyas) worn in some Middle East countries). At the continental species level, poaching at present is not having a serious impact on overall numbers of White Rhinos in Africa, with poaching losses in parts of the range being surpassed by encouraging growth rates in others. From detected and reported figures, the annual average poaching incidents during 2003 to 2005 represented just 0.2 % of the total number of White Rhinos at the end of 2005 (Emslie et al. 2007). Poaching and civil wars in both DR Congo and neighbouring Sudan have had a devastating impact on Northern White Rhino. Whilst poaching pressure initially increased during civil unrest and war in the late 1990s, good reproduction enabled the population to remain relatively stable. However, since 2003, poaching escalated and the population declined rapidly with 11 carcasses found in a three-month period between March and May 2004. Confirmed numbers of Northern White Rhino fell from 30 individuals in April 2003 to just four in August 2005, presenting serious doubts over the longer-term viability of this subspecies (Emslie et al. 2007).

Major Threat(s):

One of the main threats to the population is illegal hunting (poaching) for the international rhino horn trade. Rhino horn has two main uses: traditional use in Chinese medicine, and ornamental use (for example, rhino horn is a highly prized material for making ornately carved handles for ceremonial daggers (jambiyas) worn in some Middle East countries). At the continental species level, poaching at present is not having a serious impact on overall numbers of White Rhinos in Africa, with poaching losses in parts of the range being surpassed by encouraging growth rates in others. From detected and reported figures, the annual average poaching incidents during 2003 to 2005 represented just 0.2 % of the total number of White Rhinos at the end of 2005 (Emslie et al. 2007).

Poaching and civil wars in both DR Congo and neighbouring Sudan have had a devastating impact on Northern White Rhino. Whilst poaching pressure initially increased during civil unrest and war in the late 1990s, good reproduction enabled the population to remain relatively stable. However, since 2003, poaching escalated and the population declined rapidly with 11 carcasses found in a three-month period between March and May 2004. Confirmed numbers of Northern White Rhino fell from 30 individuals in April 2003 to just four in August 2005, presenting serious doubts over the longer-term viability of this subspecies (Emslie et al. 2007).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Effective field protection of rhino populations has been critical. Many remaining rhino are now concentrated in fenced sanctuaries, conservancies, rhino conservation areas and intensive protection zones where law enforcement effort can be concentrated at effective levels. Monitoring has also provided information to guide biological management decision-making aimed at managing rhino populations for rapid population growth. This has resulted in surplus animals being translocated to set up new populations both within and outside the species’ former ranger. Increasing efforts are also being made to integrate local communities into conservation efforts. Strategically, White Rhinos are now managed by a range of different stakeholders (private sector and state) in a number of countries increasing their long-term security. In Southern Africa live sale of White Rhinos on auction (and limited sport hunting of surplus males) has also created incentives for private sector conservation and generated much needed funds which can help pay the high cost of successfully monitoring, protecting and managing rhino. Over 4,000 White Rhino across Africa are now managed by the private sector (Emslie 2006). In 1984, the Garamba National Park Project began with rhino conservation as its central focus. The increased protection afforded by anti -poaching efforts in Garamba allowed the population of Northern White Rhino to double from 15 in 1984 to 30 by 1991. The very critical status of the subspecies, following the upsurge in poaching in 2003, resulted in the development of an emergency strategy aimed at providing increased support for the Park and translocating a founder group of five rhinos to a more secure site. An international delegation led by the IUCN SSC AfRSG held very high-level discussions with Government officials of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Kinshasa in January 2005, but despite initial support from the President’s Office, later complications prevented the signing of the protocol. Subsequently, African Parks Foundation was contracted by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) to manage Garamba National Park for five years. Replicated aerial total counts were undertaken in March 2006 with a further aerial total count backed up by some ground survey work in 2007 (Emslie et al. 2006; Reid 2007). These surveys and follow-up work on the ground have confirmed the presence of the four rhino and provided evidence of a significant improvement in security in the Park. However, the situation regionally remains volatile and the Park still faces a significant threat from surrounding areas. A strategic planning workshop was held in September 2007 in Kinshasa to determine the best approach for securing the future of the Nothern White hino. While a decision by the Democratic Republic of Congo on the implementation of a survival strategy for the last remaining Northern White hinos in Garamba National Park is still awaited following from this workshop, results from recent surveys have proved very disappointing. While spoor was seen in a number of locations and only one direct sighting observed in 2007, the most recent surveys undertaken by the Congolese wildlife authority and African Parks Network with support from FFI and US Fish and Wildlife have failed to confirm their continued presence. Further intensive efforts are planned for the second half of 2008, combining extensive foot surveys, aerial recces, community intelligence, and international expert trackers to thoroughly search potential rhino range, including the adjacent Domaines de Chasse. Hopefully, the animals will be located during these more extensive surveys, but should they not be, then the future of the subspecies will indeed be bleak as it may depend on the up to four potential breeders held in Dvur Kralove in Czech Republic. By 1977, all African rhino species were listed on CITES Appendix I, and all international commercial trade in rhinos and their products was prohibited. However, following a continued increase in numbers, the South African population of Southern White Rhino was downlisted in 1994 to Appendix II, but only for trade in live animals to “approved and acceptable destinations” and for the (continued) export of hunting trophies. In 2004, Swaziland’s Southern White Rhino were also downlisted to CITES Appendix II, but only for live export and for limited export of hunting trophies according to specified annual quotas. To help reduce illegal trade, and complement CITES international trade bans, domestic anti-trade measures and legislation were implemented in the 1990s by a number of the major consumer states and law enforcement effort has been stepped up in many consumer countries. In addition to local, national, international and continental initiatives, there are a number of regional African rhino conservation initiatives: the South African Development Community (SADC) Regional Programme for Rhino Conservation and the Southern African Rhino and Elephant Security Group. IUCN SSC’s African Rhino Specialist Group is the continental coordinating body for rhino conservation in Africa.

Conservation Actions:

Effective field protection of rhino populations has been critical. Many remaining rhino are now concentrated in fenced sanctuaries, conservancies, rhino conservation areas and intensive protection zones where law enforcement effort can be concentrated at effective levels. Monitoring has also provided information to guide biological management decision-making aimed at managing rhino populations for rapid population growth. This has resulted in surplus animals being translocated to set up new populations both within and outside the species’ former ranger. Increasing efforts are also being made to integrate local communities into conservation efforts. Strategically, White Rhinos are now managed by a range of different stakeholders (private sector and state) in a number of countries increasing their long-term security. In Southern Africa live sale of White Rhinos on auction (and limited sport hunting of surplus males) has also created incentives for private sector conservation and generated much needed funds which can help pay the high cost of successfully monitoring, protecting and managing rhino. Over 4,000 White Rhino across Africa are now managed by the private sector (Emslie 2006).

In 1984, the Garamba National Park Project began with rhino conservation as its central focus. The increased protection afforded by anti -poaching efforts in Garamba allowed the population of Northern White Rhino to double from 15 in 1984 to 30 by 1991. The very critical status of the subspecies, following the upsurge in poaching in 2003, resulted in the development of an emergency strategy aimed at providing increased support for the Park and translocating a founder group of five rhinos to a more secure site. An international delegation led by the IUCN SSC AfRSG held very high-level discussions with Government officials of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Kinshasa in January 2005, but despite initial support from the President’s Office, later complications prevented the signing of the protocol. Subsequently, African Parks Foundation was contracted by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) to manage Garamba National Park for five years. Replicated aerial total counts were undertaken in March 2006 with a further aerial total count backed up by some ground survey work in 2007 (Emslie et al. 2006; Reid 2007). These surveys and follow-up work on the ground have confirmed the presence of the four rhino and provided evidence of a significant improvement in security in the Park. However, the situation regionally remains volatile and the Park still faces a significant threat from surrounding areas.

A strategic planning workshop was held in September 2007 in Kinshasa to determine the best approach for securing the future of the Nothern White hino. While a decision by the Democratic Republic of Congo on the implementation of a survival strategy for the last remaining Northern White hinos in Garamba National Park is still awaited following from this workshop, results from recent surveys have proved very disappointing. While spoor was seen in a number of locations and only one direct sighting observed in 2007, the most recent surveys undertaken by the Congolese wildlife authority and African Parks Network with support from FFI and US Fish and Wildlife have failed to confirm their continued presence. Further intensive efforts are planned for the second half of 2008, combining extensive foot surveys, aerial recces, community intelligence, and international expert trackers to thoroughly search potential rhino range, including the adjacent Domaines de Chasse. Hopefully, the animals will be located during these more extensive surveys, but should they not be, then the future of the subspecies will indeed be bleak as it may depend on the up to four potential breeders held in Dvur Kralove in Czech Republic.

By 1977, all African rhino species were listed on CITES Appendix I, and all international commercial trade in rhinos and their products was prohibited. However, following a continued increase in numbers, the South African population of Southern White Rhino was downlisted in 1994 to Appendix II, but only for trade in live animals to “approved and acceptable destinations” and for the (continued) export of hunting trophies. In 2004, Swaziland’s Southern White Rhino were also downlisted to CITES Appendix II, but only for live export and for limited export of hunting trophies according to specified annual quotas. To help reduce illegal trade, and complement CITES international trade bans, domestic anti-trade measures and legislation were implemented in the 1990s by a number of the major consumer states and law enforcement effort has been stepped up in many consumer countries. In addition to local, national, international and continental initiatives, there are a number of regional African rhino conservation initiatives: the South African Development Community (SADC) Regional Programme for Rhino Conservation and the Southern African Rhino and Elephant Security Group. IUCN SSC’s African Rhino Specialist Group is the continental coordinating body for rhino conservation in Africa.

Citation:	IUCN SSC African Rhino Specialist Group 2008. Ceratotherium simum. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 November 2009.
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