Wildlife in Africa is celebrating an important win as the numbers of African back rhinos in the wild have risen by several hundred, which is a rare boost for a species driven to near extinction by poaching.
While challenges remain to protect these majestic creatures, the small increase – an annual rate of 2.5% percent over six years – has increased the population from 4,845 in 2012 to an estimated 5,630 in 2018, giving hope that efforts put into saving the species are paying off.
The painstaking efforts to save the black rhino have included moving some individuals from established groups to new locations, increasing the species’ range and ensuring viable breeding populations, as well as protecting them through stronger law enforcement efforts.
Numbers of all of the three subspecies of black rhino are currently improving, as poaching has declined over the last couple of years, owing to governments taking stronger measures against criminal gangs behind poaching.
The black rhino is still under the threat of extinction, but the increase in the animal’s population represents a reminder to the global community that conservation efforts work when done right.
