Report: Global Rhino Count Shows Javan Rhinos Dwindling in Southeast Asia, Black Rhinos Increase in Africa

White Rhino Numbers Drop While Illegal Horn Trade Routes Identified in Qatar, Mongolia

WASHINGTON— The newest global rhino population estimates show the numbers of Indonesia’s Javan rhinos have dropped significantly due to poaching, while black rhino numbers in Africa have increased, which is a win for this critically imperiled species. 

The Sumatran rhino population remained essentially the same since the last estimates were issued in 2022, and are considered to be seriously imperiled, while greater one-horned rhino numbers increased marginally and are considered to be recovering. White rhino numbers show various trends, with increases in all range states except South Africa, where poaching caused a slight decline in population.

“The new report is a mixed bag for rhinos, indicating most rhinos are still dangerously threatened by poaching,” said Nina Fascione, executive director of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF). “To truly save rhinos, we need to stem the poaching crisis and improve biological management to bolster individual populations.”

The total global population of rhinos is approximately 26,700. White rhinos have declined to 15,752 from 15,942, a drop of about 190 since the end of 2021 when numbers were last officially reported. Javan rhinos declined from an estimated 76 to approximately 50, due entirely to heavy poaching losses. The Sumatran rhino population remained the same at an estimated 34-47, while greater one-horned rhino numbers rose from 4,014 to 4,075. Black rhinos increased to 6,788 from the last count of 6,195. These numbers do not include rhinos in zoos.

One of the biggest concerns we see in the report is about South Africa, the country with most of the world’s rhinos, and its median rhino population sizes – seven for white rhinos, and 11 for black rhinos. The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG) recommends a minimum population of 20 individuals to maintain a viable population, though even that number could be too low. 

“Larger populations are better able to withstand both poaching losses and natural disasters,” Fascione said. “IRF maintains an African Rhino Range Expansion Fund for the explicit purpose of building larger rhino populations as a safeguard against poaching and other threats.”

The report outlines trends in trade and trafficking of rhino horn. It notes an emerging illegal rhino horn trade link between Mongolia and South Africa and indicates Qatar as a growing hub of horn trafficking. Globally, total seizures and weight of seizures has dropped, possibly due in part to the trimming of live rhinos’ horns to make them lesser targets for poaching gangs, a practice IRF actively supports.   

The global rhino population estimates come from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission’s Asian and African Rhino Specialist Groups. The report authors rely on governments where rhinos live for information on populations and trafficking seizures.

The International Rhino Foundation has previously published the global population numbers in the organization’s annual State of the Rhino report, which highlights the threats and raises awareness for the five rhino species around World Rhino Day every September, but this year the numbers were made available earlier than in the past.

###

The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) manages, facilitates and funds conservation initiatives for highly threatened rhino populations in Africa and Asia. Established in 1993, IRF focuses on scientific research, fighting poaching, habitat and population management, conservation breeding, community development and capacity building, demand reduction and legal training and support to fight illegal wildlife trade. In the past decade, IRF has invested more than $25 million in rhino conservation and research. Learn more at rhinos.org.