Poaching, made easier by civil unrest and instability, may have led to the extinction of the Western African rhino. Three other African subspecies appear to be recovering

The Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) has been listed as Critically Endangered since 2001. Recent surveys into Cameroon have failed to find any signs of the West African subspecies (Diceros bicornis longpipes). It is likely that the ongoing political instability of the area has allowed poachers to remove the last of these rhinos. The remaining subspecies are increasing in number but still require protection.

Illegal Trade in Horns Endangers Rhinos

With an overall population of only about 3600 animals spread throughout all of Africa, the black rhinoceros is far from safe from extinction. Between 2000 and 2005 the trade in illegal rhino horn increased significantly. Long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating high fevers, rhinoceros horn has also been carved into ornamental cups, bowls, and daggers. In the meantime, efforts to destroy stockpiles of rhinoceros horn have been defeated. Destruction of the stockpiles would make sales of poached rhino horn much more difficult since there would be no ‘legal’ stock with which to mix the poached specimens.

The Three Surving Rhino Subspecies

Although the probable loss of the Western subspecies is a blow to black rhinoceros diversity, it is not a great surprise as the population had been down to approximately 10 animals in 2002. Cameroon has a long history of instability and civil unrest, making it easy for poachers to work the area. The good news is that the populations of the other three subspecies of black rhino are all increasing. Protection measures and captive breeding for reintroduction have resulted in South Central, South Western and Eastern black rhino numbers growing.

The South Western subspecies (Diceros bicornis bicornis), largely based in Namibia has doubled in numbers since 1980 but remains at less than 1,000 mature animals. The number of mature, ie breeding age, animals is the most important indicator of viability. Long lived, slow growing species such as the rhinoceros can’t survive without a significant population of adult animals so this population is still listed as Vulnerable.

The Eastern black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli) is considered stable in Kenya, its major range state, where small sanctuaries can provide protection. The South Central subspecies (Diceros bicornis minor) is found in South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and has been reintroduced into Malawi and Swaziland.

This subspecies is Critically Endangered, largely due to the civil unrest and economic instability of the area. According to TRAFFIC, the wildlife monitoring network, in Zimbabwe, 2/3 of the deaths of rhinos between 2003 and 2005 were the result of poaching.

International wildlife conservation groups continue to work to stop poaching activities in black rhino range states. These efforts and the involvement of local communities in protecting the black rhino and its habitat will be necessary if the remaining three subspecies are to avoid extinction

Photo Credit: Ivan