Hope for black rhino as numbers rise

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED African rhino numbers are slowly increasing after “immense” conservation efforts, new figures suggest.

The black rhino population has seen a gradual rise of 2.5 per cent, with experts crediting law-enforcement efforts to halt poaching and measures to establish new territories.

Dr Grethel Aguilar, acting director general of the International Union for Conservation of Nature,

said: “While Africa’s rhinos are by no means safe from extinction, the continued slow recovery of black rhino populations is a testament to the immense efforts made in the countries the species occurs in and a powerful reminder to the global community that conservation works.”

But she added: “At the same time it is evident there is no room for complacency as poaching and illegal trade remain acute threats.

“It is essential that the ongoing anti-poaching measures and intensive, proactive population management continue, with support from national and international actors.”

Between 2012 and 2018, the number of rhinos in Africa grew from an estimated 4,845 to 5,630, and population models suggest a further slow increase over the coming five years.

The south-western black rhino, a subspecies of the black rhino, has seen sufficient population growth to be newly categorised as near-threatened.

The white rhino continues to be categorised as near threatened on the international union’s Red List.

Figures indicate poaching numbers have decreased after a peak in 2015, when a minimum of 1,349 rhinos were found to have been poached.

In 2018, there were a minimum of 892 rhinos poached, equivalent to one every 10 hours.