An overview of the conservation status of and threats to rhinoceros species in the wild

Abstract

This paper summarizes the recent status of rhinoceros species, as provided by IUCN Species Survival Commission's Rhinoceros Specialist Groups, and describes some of the current conservation measures. At the time of writing there are c. 14 950 rhinoceros remaining in Africa and c. 2850 in Asia. During the last decade conservation initiatives have achieved notable successes; however, numbers of some species and subspecies have declined over this period and three subspecies are close to extinction. The illegal demand for rhinoceros horn and the subsequent poaching this generates continue to pose a serious threat to rhinoceros populations worldwide. However, experience indicates that where anti‐poaching efforts are concentrated above minimum threshold levels population losses as a result of poaching can be reduced to a low and sustainable level. However, not all populations receive sufficient protection and declining budgets of range‐state governments for field conservation are a major cause for concern. The role of donor support is, therefore, becoming increasingly important. For some subspecies lack of adequate habitat protection rather than lack of suitable habitat is a major constraint for population expansion and growth. Many rhinoceros populations in Africa are managed as part of bigger meta‐populations. However, sub‐optimal biological management is also reducing population growth rates in a number of populations.

Bayesian policy reuse

“…Poaching of large mammals such as rhinoceroses is a major problem throughout Africa and Asia(Amin et al 2006).…”

Subversive mobilities

“…The social stigma of using rhino horn remains low (Biggs et al 2013), as a pervasive view of "animals … as commodities that exist to be exploited" persists in Vietnamese society (Rademeyer 2012, 285). The high end-market price of rhino horn helped to elevate it to a luxury good, enhancing its allure as a status symbol among the newly wealthy Vietnamese (Amin et al 2006;Conrad 2012;Truong, Dang, and Hall 2015).…”

“…The route of the horn between South Africa and Vietnam sometimes passes through Yemen (where the horn had in the past been in high demand for making traditional dagger handles [Milledge 2007]), or Hong Kong, and Singapore, which became major way stations for the horn (Amin et al 2006;Milliken, Emslie, and Talukdar 2009). …”

Carnivore and Herbivore Densities in the Immediate Aftermath of Ethno-Political Conflict: The Case of Manas National Park, India

“…However, while rhinos went locally extinct [18], swamp deer were almost exterminated [26], and our estimates show that the tiger occurs in extremely low numbers. Rhino and tigers are two of the most 'poached' species of India, owing to high demand in the global market [43][44][45], and swamp deer are hunted locally for their ornamental antlers and meat. During the conflict, these species may have been selectively targeted by opportunistic poachers and antigovernment forces.…”