11/22/2023 0 Comments Are black rhinoceros extinctThe white rhino is more accurately referred to as the square-lipped rhinoceros. The color-based naming of the white rhino and black rhino likely emanated from a mistranslation of the Afrikaans word for “wide,” denoting the white rhinoceros’ broad mouth. Black rhinos are of a smaller build and lighter in weight. The white rhino is the largest of all rhino species, making it the second-largest land mammal after African elephant species. What is the difference between the white rhinoceros and black rhinoceros?Īpart from being genetically distinct, the two main species of African rhino are easily distinguished by their size, the shape of their lips, and their preferred diet. More recently, the western black rhino was declared extinct in 2014 after zero individuals were located after intensive searches in northern Cameroon. The southern black rhino became extinct in 1850, and the north-eastern black rhinoceros is said to have vanished at the turn of the century. Out of the all recognized African black rhinoceros subspecies, three are extinct due to historical habitat destruction and rampant hunting. This subspecies was historically found in parts of South Sudan, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with some populations reaching as far Chad. With only two individuals remaining in Ol Pejeta Conservancy and no reported sightings in native rangelands since 2008, the critically endangered northern white rhino is considered possibly extinct in the wild, or functionally extinct. As poaching for rhino horn intensified over the last 50 years, some African rhino subspecies have been pushed to extinction. Subspecies of both white rhinos and black rhinos originally occurred in diverse habitats and were abundant across the continent in the early 20th century. White rhinos are also known as square-lipped rhinos What African rhinos are extinct? However, both the south-eastern and eastern black rhino are critically endangered. Recent population assessments have recorded a slow increase, with the south-western subspecies downlisted from Vulnerable to Near Threatened in 2020. The African black rhino, on the other hand, is listed as Critically Endangered. Efforts are underway to bring the northern white rhino from the brink by producing embryos via in vitro fertilization. Only two female individuals of the northern white rhino subspecies remain under 24-hour surveillance in Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Though sizeable, this population comprises mainly the southern white subspecies found largely in South Africa, with other smaller populations in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Uganda, and Kenya. Overall, white rhino populations are greater than black rhino numbers, and the species is classified as Near Threatened on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. The rhinoceros species found in Africa are the white rhino ( Ceratotherium simum) and the black rhino ( Diceros bicornis). Which African rhinoceros species are critically endangered? While some subspecies like the southern black rhino in Africa are recording population growth, others are critically endangered, while others like the northern white rhinoceros are considered functionally extinct. These rhino populations are recovering from decades of poaching driven by the illegal wildlife trade and the demand for their horns. Once widespread in Africa and Asia, the remaining five species of rhinoceros are restricted to protected areas and sanctuaries. World Rhino Day has been celebrated on September 22 every year since 2010, uniting wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists across the globe to bring much-needed attention to this magnificent but vulnerable mammal. She develops articles for AWF’s website and publications, connecting audiences with the organization's work in diverse landscapes and showcasing the impact of community-centered conservation. Harleen Sehmi is the Senior Digital Content Officer at African Wildlife Foundation.
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