black rhino fact

Weighs up to 1,5 tonnes and stands about 140 - 160cm high at the shoulder.Weighs up to 1,5 tonnes and stands about 140 - 160cm high at the shoulder.

The population of the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) is steadily declining. From a total number of at least 100 000 in 1960, spread across most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert, there are today fewer than 3 500 black rhino left. Most of these survive in southern African countries where there are good protection measures e.g. South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. However poachers are managing to kill rhino in all three of these countries, despite protection. Numbers in South Africa have increased from about 100 to almost 700 since 1930.Three of these rhino species are found in Asia: the Indian or one-horned rhino (population about 1 500), the Sumatran (population about 200) and the Javan (population about 50). The three Asian rhino species are well protected and their numbers have remained steady. The other two rhino are found here in A

africa: the white rhino (numbering about 4 500 - 5 000) and the black rhino (population about 3 000).

• Rhino are being moved (translocated) away from unsafe areas where poachers are operating, to safe sanctuaries, and protection is being increased for rhino in existing conservation areas.

• Efforts are being made to stop the illegal international trade in rhino horn, and harsher penalties for people caught poaching and dealing in the rhino horn are being introduced.

• People are being persuaded to stop using rhino horn for medicines and cultural purposes