The worldwide rhinoceros population has defied the odds and, thanks to the amazing efforts of conservationists, is showing positive signs of recovery.
Dr. Michael Knight, chair of the IUCN Rhino group, expressed relief, saying, “With this good news, we can take a sigh of relief for the first time in a decade.” However, he also underlined the importance of maintaining the positive trend and remaining attentive to protecting these priceless creatures.
There are five rhino species: two in Africa and three in Asia, and once numbered 500,000, says Save The Rhino. Today, according to the World Animal Foundation, the global population is now 27,431, with the southern white rhinos making up the majority. After a difficult decade, these African rhinos’ numbers have increased for the first time since 2012, rising from 15,942 at the end of 2021 to an amazing 16,803 at the end of 2022.
Meanwhile, black rhinos, which are native to eastern and southern Africa have grown in numbers, rising by over 5 percent in only one year. Their population was 6,487 by the end of 2022, up from 6,195 in 2021.
The larger one-horned rhino population in India and Nepal has remained constant at roughly 4,000, emphasizing the necessity of continued conservation efforts to curb poaching and habitat destruction.
However, it's sadly not such good news for the Javan and Sumatran rhino species are extremely endangered and steadily diminishing, threatening extinction. Efforts to save them are ongoing, and the importance of protecting the last remaining animals is well understood by all those working round the clock to preserve these magnificent animals.