Five Different Rhinosceros
All Threatened as Poaching and Habitat Loss Reduce Their Numbers
The white rhino has made a limited comeback but black, Sumatran, Javan and Indian rhinoceros are all Endangered or Critically Endangered.
The Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) has earned the dubious honor of being the most endangered rhino of all. Only 60 remain. But the Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is not far behind and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) are also Critically Endangered. The Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is Endangered. In the Near Threatened category, the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) population stands at 11,300, huge by comparison to the others, but small for a large, slow developing species. Poaching represents the biggest threat in all cases but habitat loss plays a role as well.
Rhino horn is highly valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine for reducing fever. While there are many substitutes available in the Chinese pharmacy, purists still insist on using it. And in the Middle East, dagger handles made of horn are also highly prized. Rainforests and wetlands, prime rhino habitat, are rapidly disappearing throughout Asia and Africa. Rhinos may weigh a ton but in the competition for food and land they are losing.
Javan Rhinoceros
This species, one of the ten most endangered mammals in the world, lives in Indonesia with a remnant population on mainland Vietnam, separated by the Java Sea. Shrinking rainforests are adding to the poaching problems the Javan rhino faces. One of the smaller rhinos, they are most closely related to the Indian rhino which also has just one horn.
Sumatran rhinoceros
There were once 3 subspecies of Sumatran rhino , one on the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, one on Borneo and one in Burma and east India. It is not clear whether the Burma/east India population still exists. This species is the only hairy rhino. Its remaining populations also suffer from habitat fragmentation which isolates small groups and contributes to their decline.
Black Rhinoceros
The black rhino is one of the 2 Africa rhinoceros species. They have suffered the most dramatic decline, losing 96% of their numbers between 1970 and 1992. Anti poaching efforts have eased the problem and increasing numbers give some hope for their long term survival. Causing concern is the chronic human unrest in their prime habitat.
White Rhinoceros
The other African species, whose name is a corruption of the Afrikaans word wijde (wide) for the size of its mouth, is the best off. But despite having the highest population of the rhino species, there is a Critically Endangered northern subspecies which is restricted to one area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Last estimated at 5-10 animals, the northern rhino has been a victim of civil wars and its present status is not completely known.
Indian One-horned Rhinoceros
The largest of the rhinos, the Indian rhino appear to be wearing a coat of armor. Unfortunately this hasn’t helped protect them from poaching or habitat loss. Numbers have increased from a low of about 200 to several thousand so they are considered a conservation success at present.
Providing these charismatic mega-veterbrates with adequate habitat is going to be a difficult task, especially as the human population continues to grow. But these ancient creatures deserve it.
