header: White Rhinoceros
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Ceratotherium simum (Burchell, 1817)

POPULATION

At the turn of the century the southern subspecies was considered extinct, but a few years later a small population of fewer than 100 animals was discovered in the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe region in Natal. This population was protected and had expanded to 5,200 by 199118 and is now about 7,000. White rhino populations are now increasing in southern Africa because most White rhinos are confined to heavily guarded sanctuaries.29

The Northern White Rhinoceros declined from 1,100 in 1981 to only 11 in 1984.21,20 Under a strict regime of protection and study this subspecies had increased to a total of 32 individuals in 1993.5 Table 1 gives total population estimates for the two sub-species, while table 2 details the national population estimates of 1993.

Major population: The remaining individuals of the northern subspecies of White Rhinoceros are currently confined to the Garamba National Park, Zaïre. The Southern White Rhinoceros is established in several South African protected areas, the l argest population of rhinos (over 1,600 animals) being found in Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve.7,17


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