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Diceros bicornis
– Critically Endangered
Taxonomy
Assessment Information
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Red List Category & Criteria:
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CR A2abc ver 3.1 (2001)
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Year Assessed:
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2003
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Assessor/s:
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African Rhino Specialist Group
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Evaluator/s:
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Emslie, R. & Brooks, M. (African Rhino Red List Authority)
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Justification:
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The population of black rhino has declined by over 90% over the last sixty odd years reaching a low of 2,410 in 1995. However, since then, numbers have been steadily increasing at a continental level reaching 3,100 by 2001. For the most part, the large free ranging populations of rhinos that used to roam over huge areas, and which therefore could not be adequately protected, have been eliminated or reduced to low numbers. The bulk of remaining black rhinos occur in areas with more concentrated security. International trade bans under CITES have also been complemented by increased domestic anti-trade legislation.
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History:
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| 1965 | - | "Less rare but believed to be threatened-requires watching" (Scott 1965) |
| 1986 | - | Endangered (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986) |
| 1988 | - | Endangered (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988) |
| 1990 | - | Endangered (IUCN 1990) |
| 1994 | - | Endangered (Groombridge 1994) |
| 1996 | - | Critically Endangered (Baillie and Groombridge 1996) |
| 2001 | - | Critically Endangered (IUCN 2002) |
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Geographic Range
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Range Description:
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There are four recognized ecotypes/subspecies of black rhinoceros occupying different areas of Africa. To the west, the species once ranged through the savanna zones of central-west Africa. It is now found only in northern Cameroon, with a few animals possibly remaining in Chad. The other three more numerous subspecies are found in the eastern and southern African countries. As with white rhinos, four range states (South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya) conserve the majority (97.6%) of remaining wild black rhino.
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Countries:
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Native:
Cameroon; Kenya; Namibia; South Africa; Tanzania, United Republic of; Zimbabwe
Reintroduced:
Malawi; Rwanda; Swaziland
Regionally extinct:
Ethiopia
Possibly extinct regionally:
Angola; Botswana; Chad; Mozambique; Zambia
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Population
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Population:
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Throughout most of the 20th century, the black rhino was the most numerous of the world's rhino species. Relentless hunting of the species and clearances of land for settlement and agriculture resulted in the population being reduced from a probable several hundred thousand at the start of the century, to less than 2,500 by the early 1990s (the minimum population estimate in 1995 was approximately 2,410 (Emslie and Brooks 1999). From 1992-1995 total numbers remained relatively stable with increases in some countries (those with the best protected and managed populations) being cancelled out by declines in others. However, since 1995, black rhino numbers at a continental level have started increasing again reaching 2,600 by 1997 (Emslie and Brooks 1999), 2,700 by 1999 (AfRSG 2000) and 3,100 by 2001 (AfRSG 2002). Two countries have shown net increases in numbers of black rhino over the period 1980-2001: South Africa and Namibia. In both countries, investments in conservation programmes, including monitoring and law enforcement, have been high. An additional 247 black rhino occur in captivity worldwide.
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Population Trend:
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Habitat and Ecology
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Habitat and Ecology:
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Black rhino are browsers, and occur in a wide variety of habitats from desert areas in Namibia to wetter forested areas in the highlands of Kenya, to savannas and succulent valley bushveld areas where the highest densities of black rhino occur. The black rhino is a browser and it favours small Acacia’s and other palatable woody species (Grewia’s, Euphorbiacea species etc.) as well as palatable herbs and succulents. However, because of high levels of secondary plant chemicals, much woody plant browse (especially many evergreen species) in some areas is unpalatable for black rhinos. Failure to appreciate this, has in the past led to black rhino carrying capacities being over-estimated in some areas. Apart from plant species composition and size structure, black rhino carrying capacity is related to rainfall, soil nutrient status, fire histories, levels of grass interference, extent of frost and densities of other large browsers. To maintain rapid population growth rates and prevent potential habitat damage if the population overshoots carrying capacity, populations of black rhinos should be managed at densities below long term ecological carrying capacity (zero growth density).
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System:
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Terrestrial
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Threats
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Threats:
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The black rhino faces a variety of threats. One of the main threats to the population is 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).
Civil unrest and the free flow of weapons in Africa have had a significant impact on African rhino conservation efforts. Black rhino populations in Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda have to varying degrees all suffered from the consequences of war and civil unrest since the 1960s (Emslie and Brooks 1999). Some detrimental effects include trading of rhino horn and ivory for weapons, increased poaching due to increased poverty in times of civil unrest, and diminished levels of protection for rhino populations as funds are diverted away from wildlife departments. Habitat changes can also cause rhino populations to decline.
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Conservation Actions
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Conservation Actions:
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Black rhino have been listed on CITES Appendix I since 1977. All international commercial trade in black rhinos and their products have been prohibited. 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 consumer states. 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. Following a decline in breeding performance in some areas, increased effort has recently been given to improving biological management with a view to increasing metapopulation growth rates. Increasing efforts are also being made to integrate local communities into conservation efforts. Strategically, black 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 contrast to southern white rhino, most black rhino on privately owned land are managed on a custodianship basis for the state. In addition to local and, national initiatives, there are a number of regional African rhino conservation initiatives: the South African Development Community (SADC) Regional Programme for Rhino Conservation, the SADC Rhino Management Group, the SADC Rhino Recovery Group, 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.
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