Rhinocerous, or rhinos, are magnificent creatures that have been around since prehistoric times. However, currently, the majority of the species of rhino are critically endangered due to human greed.
Among the five species of rhino, three are on the verge of extinction. If you want to learn about other critically endangered species, then head over to The 5 Most Endangered Animals in 2022.
In this post, we’ll be discussing the physical characteristics of critically endangered rhinos and the reasons behind their current situation. We’ll also share ways in which you can view these beautiful creatures, and organisations that need your support in saving them. Let’s dive in!
1. Brief Rhino History
In 2021, only 5 rhino species are left: white, black, greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan. The Sumatran is believed to be the oldest species of rhino.
The five currently remaining rhino species belong to the Rhinocerotidae family. They first appeared in the Late Eocene, which is the time when modern mammals surfaced, in Eurasia. The earliest members of this family were mostly small, which were wiped away by the middle Oligocene extinction, leaving the larger rhinos behind.
Studies show that the present five species of rhinos originated approximately the following years ago:
| Rhino Species | Origination Years |
|---|---|
| Sumatran | more than 15 million years ago |
| Black | 4 - 10 million years ago |
| White | 2 - 5 million years ago |
| Greater one-horned | 2 - 4 million years ago |
| Javan | 2 - 4 million years ago |
2. Rhino Populations
The current population of the remaining five species of rhinoceros is as under:
| Rhino Species | Population |
|---|---|
| Javan | 75 |
| Sumatran | less than 80 |
| Greater one-horned | 3588 |
| Black | 5,366 - 5,627 |
| White | 17,212 - 18,915 |
3. What Rhinos are Endangered?
Critically endangered rhinos include Javan, Sumatran, and the Black rhinos.
3.1. Javan Rhino
Population: 75
Scientific name: Rhinoceros sondaicus
Height: 1.4 – 1.8 m
Weight: 1,984 – 5,071 pounds
Length: 3 – 3.2 m
Lifespan: 30 – 40 years
Locations: Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia
3.1.1. What are the Main Threats to the Javan Rhinoceros?
The three main reasons behind Javan rhinos being a part of critically endangered rhinos are trophy hunting, poaching, and habitat loss.
Many people around the world believe that rhinoceros horns have medicinal properties, leading to extreme poaching. One kilo of a raw rhino horn sells for somewhere between $3,604 to $17,000, with an average price of $8,683. Due to the high price and demand, massive syndicates dedicated to killing rhinos and selling their horns have surfaced.
Another reason behind the dwindling numbers of Javan rhinos is trophy hunting. This trend was widely popular during colonial times.
In order to save these endangered rhinos, they have been confined into the Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia. The surrounding areas of this park are massively affected by human activities leading to a decline in the rhinos’ food and water resources.
3.1.2. Where to See Javan Rhinos?
Due to extreme poaching and habitat loss, Javan rhinos have been restricted to a single national park. If you want to have a look at them, then you’ll have to visit the Ujung Kulon National Park, which is on the Java island of Indonesia.
3.1.3. How to Help Save the Javan Rhinos?
If you want to save Javan rhinos from being declared extinct, then help them in the following ways:
- Donate to the International Rhino Foundation. They are working to protect rhinos by restoring forests and grasslands. In addition to the decreasing populations of rhinos, this is also helping in protecting countless other species.
- Don’t buy products that contain rhino horn as this discourages the illegal market and trade for rhino parts.
- Spread the word through social media and other platforms about endangered rhinos.
3.2. Sumatran Rhino
Population: Less than 80
Scientific name: Dicerorhinus sumatrensis
Height: 1.2 – 1.45 m
Weight: 1,100 – 4,410 pounds
Length: 2 – 4 m
Lifespan: 35 – 40 years
Locations: Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo
3.2.1. What are the Main Threats to the Sumatran Rhinos?
Sumatran rhinos are among the critically endangered rhinos because of three main reasons: poaching, fragmentation, and habitat loss. All of these reasons are due to humans.
Due to the highly profitable and lucrative illegal rhino horn trade, the rhino poaching levels are increasing. The Sumatran rhino numbers have gone down by 70% in the past 20 years due to the demand for rhino horns. The remaining rhinos are also under extreme threat due to their horns’ increasing demand for traditional Asian medicine.
Due to the rapid decrease in population caused by poaching, Sumatran rhinos are facing fragmentation. This means the remaining population are in small, fragmented groups, which doesn’t provide them with ample breeding possibilities. Furthermore, the reduction in mating results in reproductive diseases, which further decreases the chances of successful breeding.
In addition to poaching and fragmentation, one of the other reasons why Sumatran rhinos have become extremely threatened and endangered is their natural habitat loss. They like to use logged areas but the recent construction of logging roads have affected their habitat and made them more accessible to poachers.
In addition to this, the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, where these remaining animals are kept, is losing forest cover quickly due to coffee and rice production by illegal settlers leading to further Sumatran rhino habitats loss.
3.2.2. Where to See Sumatran Rhinos?
The easiest place to spot a Sumatran rhino is the Way Kambas National Park in southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
3.2.3. How to Help Save the Sumatran Rhinos?
Following are a few ways in which you can stop Sumatran rhinos from becoming extinct.
- Donate to the Sumatran Rhino Rescue Alliance, in which 5 different organisations, World Wildlife Fund, Global Wildlife Conservation, International Rhino Foundation, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the National Geographic Society, have joined hands to grow Sumatran rhino populations by fighting wildlife crime and protecting the rhino habitat.
- Avoid using products containing rhino horn.
- Take part in rhino conservation campaigns and spread awareness through social media about endangered rhinos.
3.3. Black Rhino
Population: 5,366 – 6,627
Scientific name: Diceros bicornis
Height: 1.3 – 1.8 m
Weight: 1,763 – 3,086 pounds
Length: 2.8 – 3.8 m
Lifespan: 35 – 50 years
Locations: Distributed from Kenya to South Africa, with 98% of the total population in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya
3.3.1. What are the Main Threats to the Black Rhinos?
The biggest threats to the Black rhinoceros are illegal poaching, population density, disease, and inbreeding.
The deadliest threat to the Black rhino is the trade in rhino horn. This demand is particularly prominent in the Asian countries, specifically Vietnam and China, for traditional medicines.
Rhino protection and habitat management are severely threatened by the recent increase in poaching in South Africa where, in 2019 alone, 594 Black rhinos were poached. The local communities in Africa struggle financially, which further increases the rate of poaching.
Excess poaching and habitat loss have led to thin black rhinos distribution throughout Africa, with a few areas having high population density. This has increased the disease transmission rates, and inbreeding, which has genetic impacts.
3.3.2. Where to See Black Rhinos?
Following are five areas where you can watch a Black rhino. Two of them are protected areas for rhino conservation with rhino protection units, handled by endangered animals activists, whose successful conservation efforts are paving way to stop this magnificent species from extinction.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia District, Kenya
- Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
- Damaraland & Palmwag, Namibia
- Tswalu Kalahari Private Reserve in
- Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
3.3.3. How to Help Save the Black Rhinos?
The average annual cost of protecting a rhino in a sanctuary is $3,315 and $14,399. You can contribute to this by donating to the main organisations working on protecting the black rhino species.
In addition to donating, you can also protect the black rhinos by avoiding rhino horn products to discourage the illegal trade. You can further play your part by increasing awareness regarding the endangered rhinos on social media and other similar platforms, especially regarding how traditional Asian medicine made from the rhino horn is a scam.