Home » What we do » Safeguarding the natural world » Wildlife » African rhinos

African rhinos

About the species

There are two species of rhino found in Africa: the black and the white; their combined population is just over 18,000. The black rhino is also called the ‘hook-lipped’ rhino because of its prehensile upper lip, which it uses to browse and feed on twigs. The white rhino is sometimes called the ‘square-lipped’ rhino because its upper lip is square rather than pointed and the white rhino is larger than the black rhino. The white rhino got its name from the Afrikaans word for wide (‘wyd‘) referring to its lip. Early English explorers thought this was ‘white’ and consequently named the other rhino ‘black’ as it was different.

There are four subspecies of black rhino. One, the western black rhino, is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as ‘probably extinct’. The other three – the south-western, eastern and south-central – are classified as ‘critically endangered’. Their numbers are starting to increase, but they depend on conservation efforts.

The white rhino has two subspecies: the northern white rhino, classed as critically endangered and the southern white rhino, classed as ‘near threatened’. The southern population has recovered from a population of fewer than 100 in 1895 to over 14,500 today – a significant conservation success story. Unfortunately, the northern white rhino has continued to decline and is on the brink of extinction; in 2006 the population was estimated at just four individuals in the wild, and it is unknown whether these still survive.

Challenges and threats

Poaching of rhinos and the illegal trade in their horns have been the main threats to all populations of African rhinos, despite an international ban on such trade.

The quantity of rhino horn entering the illegal trade has increased significantly since 2000, indicating ongoing market demand and organised trade routes to the Middle and Far East. Rhino horn is used in traditional Asian medicine, and to make dagger handles in the Middle East.

African rhino numbers were devastated between 1970 and 1992, during which time 96% of black rhinos were killed. Despite increased surveillance and protection, at least 252 African rhinos are known to have been illegally killed between 2000 and 2005, and poaching continues to this day.

Political instability and wars have greatly hampered rhino conservation. This situation has exacerbated the threats to rhinos, as the resulting loss of habitat has contributed to the decline in population levels. A more recent issue is identifying suitable habitat that is safe from poaching, into which rhino populations can expand.

WWF in action

WWF has been working to conserve rhinos for over 40 years. Our current African Rhino Programme, launched in 1997, provides technical and financial support to 12 rhino conservation projects across Africa and operates in partnerships with key African rhino range states.

WWF works with governments, local communities and other NGOs to improve the conservation and management of rhinos by restoring and connecting suitable areas of habitat, improving biological monitoring, sharing expertise, building the skills and capacity of people working with rhinos, implementing proactive anti-poaching measures, reducing consumer demand for rhino horn and its derivatives, and improving management of rhino horn stockpiles to stop illegal trade.

Another critical aspect of our strategy is to work with governments and other NGOs to translocate rhinos from well-populated areas to suitable habitats that are in need of more breeding adults. We also work to update policy frameworks, legislation and law enforcement measures to benefit rhinos and their habitats.

African rhino poaching crisis

Rhino poaching has increased dramatically in the last few years. Across African states 470 rhino have been poached between 2006 and 2009.

Find out more...

Useful links

• Illegal wildlife trade
• Visit the CITES website
• Namibia
• More about African rhinos

Latest news