After documenting continued growth in Namibia, the IUCN has downlisted the South-western Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis ssp. bicornis) from Vulnerable to Near Threatened. At this time, all other black rhino subspecies remain listed as Critically Endangered on the Red List.
Although listed as Critically Endangered, the African Black Rhino population is slowly increasing as conservation efforts counter the persistent threat of poaching, according to the recent update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM.
Between 2012 and 2018, the Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) population across Africa has grown at a modest annual rate of 2.5% from an estimated 4,845 to 5,630 animals in the wild, respectively. Population models predict a further slow increase over the next five years.
But, leaders remain only cautiously optimistic. The recovery cannot persist without the continued dedication to proactive management, strong antipoaching measures, and both national and international support.
The IUCN Red List now includes 116,177 species of which 31,030 are threatened with extinction.
Red List Categories
- Extinct
- Extinct in the Wild
- Critically Endangered
- Endangered
- Vulnerable
- Near Threatened
- Least Concern
- Data Deficient
