The global rhino population saw a slight increase last year, but poaching remains a significant threat, particularly in South Africa, according to a new report by the International Rhino Foundation. The number of white rhinos rose from 15,942 in 2022 to 17,464 in 2023. The populations of black and greater one-horned rhinos remained stable. The northern white rhino is nearly extinct, with only two females left in Kenya.
In 2023, 586 rhinos were killed in Africa, mainly in South Africa, which is home to more than half of all the rhinos on the planet. This is a rise from 551 deaths in 2022, as reported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Rhinos are threatened by habitat loss due to development and climate change, but poaching driven by the belief in the medicinal value of rhino horns is their most severe challenge.
Philip Muruthi of the Africa Wildlife Foundation attributes the increase in rhino populations to effective protection measures. For instance, Kenya's rhino numbers grew from 380 in 1986 to 1,000 last year. Muruthi emphasizes the need for campaigns to reduce demand for rhino horn, adoption of advanced tracking technology, and community education about the ecological and economic benefits of rhinos. When all five subspecies of rhino are tallied, their population numbers about 28,000; the number was 500,000 at the start of the 20th century. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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