White Rhinos
The largest rhinoceros species now living is the white rhinoceros, often known as a white rhino or square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). It is the most gregarious of the rhino species and has a big mouth for grazing. The southern white rhinoceros, which had an estimated 19,682-21,077 wild animals in 2015, and the far more uncommon northern white rhinoceros make up the two subspecies of the white rhinoceros. Only two specimens of the northern subspecies were verified to still exist in 2018 (two females, Fatu, 18, and Najin, 29, both in captivity). Sudan, the only male Northern white rhinoceros known to exist, passed away on March 19, 2018, in Kenya, at the age of 45.
White Rhinos in South Africa
One of the two subspecies of the white rhinoceros is known as the southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) (the other being the much rarer northern white rhinoceros). It is the rhinoceros subspecies that is most prevalent and widely found.
According to a report issued by CITES in 2021, there were 15,940 Southern White Rhino in existence worldwide in 2021, a 24% decrease from the last census, which was published in 2015. This subspecies still has a stronghold in South Africa, where there are believed to be 12,968 individuals left as of 2021, a decrease of 20.22% from the last census.
How many are left in South Africa
Only 20,000 white rhinos are thought to remain in the wild, with the bulk of them residing in South Africa, according to the most recent estimate. One of the most threatened species on the planet, white rhinos have seen a sharp decline in population over the past several years as a result of habitat degradation and poaching. White rhinos are being protected and conserved, but if more is not done to protect them, it is anticipated that they would soon go extinct.
Why their numbers are declining
threat from poachers
Due to poachers, rhinos are really in danger. For Black Rhinos, the number of living individuals has decreased from 16 000 in 1970 to roughly 4000 now, however for White Rhinos, the number of living individuals has increased from 200 in 1970 to about 18 000 today. Intense conservation efforts were responsible for the White Rhino population rebound. However, both species are in danger because they are being mercilessly hunted by organized, well-armed poaching rings.
In South Africa, poaching incidents have dramatically increased since 2008. Despite increased anti-poaching efforts, over 100 rhinos have been poached in the first three months of 2012 alone.
The rhino is killed for its horn, a fibrous growth made primarily of keratin, the same material that makes up our fingernails. The horn is primarily offered in Eastern nations like Japan, where it is used in traditional medicine to treat conditions like food poisoning, headaches, fever, and even snake bites. Contrary to popular belief, it is not utilized as an aphrodisiac.
Their conservation
It was believed that white rhinos would go extinct since they were virtually hunted to extinction. The Umfolozi Game Reserve then saw the discovery of roughly 100 rhino in 1960. Conservationists put in a lot of effort to save the species from extinction. This was accomplished by seizing and moving White Rhinos to national parks. People like Dr. Ian Player, a well-known conservationist from South Africa, contributed to the initiative.
