Save the African Black 
Rhino: Rhino Facts


Two rhino species are found in Africa: the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) and the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum). The black rhino is found in south­western, south­central and eastern Africa and a few remain north of the rainforest belt in Cameroon. The black rhino is listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

The position of the northern subspecies is far more precarious than that of its northern relatives: only 31 rhinos remain, all found in Zaïre's Garamba National Park and are listed as Endangered. Ten years ago, there were even less: between 12­15 were estimated to remain.

Rhino puzzle Actually grey in colour, the black rhino is considerably smaller than the white rhino, weighing about 1,400 kilos. There are less than 2,500 black rhino left in Africa - mainly in Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania.

Theblack African rhino species prefers the open savannahs and are generally not found in forest zones. In contrast to the white rhino, a more social and rather placid animal, the black rhino is generally solitary and hostile when disturbed. Poaching continues to push this species towards extinction.