African and Asian rhinoceroses – status, conservation and trade. Male White and Indian rhinos can weigh up to 2700 kilograms at the other end, Sumatran rhinos have a lower range of around 600 kilograms.Įmslie, R.H. The average mass of rhinos vary by species and sex. They will have to be closely guarded for a long time. Even if reproduction is successful, population numbers will be incredibly low for a long time. Scientific innovation is now the only way to save these sub-species. In 2021, researchers aim to implant embryos in both to try to get them to reproduce. Scientists are investigating ways to continue reproduction from the last females, including stem cell treatment and hybrid embryos from Northern White Rhino eggs and Southern White Rhino sperm. Both are guarded in a semi-wild enclosure, and have had their horns sawed off to deter poachers. There are now only two female rhinos left: Najin and her daughter, Fatu. Sudan, the last remaining male died in Kenya in 2018. Intense poaching, and challenges for protection during civil unrest in stronghold countries, has led to a rapid decline. In 1960, it’s estimated there were more than 2,000, predominantly in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the chart we see its demise over the second-half of the 20th century. The Northern White Rhino is on the brink of extinction. If the story of the Southern White Rhino is one of our greatest successes, the story of its Northern cousin must be one of our biggest failures. You can explore population estimates by country in the chart. South Africa is home to around three-quarters of Southern White Rhinos. Over the last few years, increases in poaching rates have unfortunately led to another decline. Populations were restored to more than 21,000. Over the course of the 20th century, severe protection of these species – particularly in African nature reserves – led to a significant and rapid increase. All were in the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park in South Africa – now a nature reserve. However, intense poaching by the Europeans and killings in the conversion of land for agriculture meant that by the late 19th century it was close to extinction. 3 We don’t have precise estimates but it’s reported that by the mid-19th century it was still abundant. It’s touted as one of the world’s greatest conservation success stories. In the chart we see the population trend of the Southern White Rhino. A century ago, the Northern was much more abundant than the Southern. There are two main subspecies: the Northern White and Southern White rhino. (Barnes and Noble, Inc.), 1999 490-497.Overall, the story of the White rhino is a positive one. The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of Animal Life. The rhino horn has long been prized by cultures around the world for making dagger handles, medicines, aphrodisiacs, and even cups for royalty. Adults have no natural enemies except man.Įndangered (CITES Appendices I, II). Leopards, lions and hyenas prey on young.Rhinos eyesight is not their dominant sense. They have excellent hearing and a superb sense of smell.White rhinos are also called square-lipped rhinos.African rhinos, including both Northern and Southern White Rhinos, have two horns.After a confrontation between two males, the dominant male will spray urinate as his opponent retreats. White rhinos are both nocturnal and diurnal, grazing both day and night.They are non-permanent and can be trimmed or removed without harming the animal. Rhino horns are made of keratin, the same material that makes up hair.White rhinos are not as aggressive as black rhinos and are frightened off easily. Females will stand protectively over their young if danger is present.Home ranges of females vary from 3.3 – 5.8 square miles, but will increase if food and water becomes scarce.It is thought to help protect against biting flies. Rhinos also depend on mud to coat their skin. Dependent on small pools of water for drinking and will visit pools daily when they are readily available.Mostly solitary, although this species is the most social and will form small groups of both sexes and all ages occasionally.Males rarely associate with females, except when the female is in heat.Ĭaptivity: Timothy and alfalfa hay, low fiber grain, fruits and vegetables.White rhino young typically run in front of the female, as opposed to black rhino young which follow their mothers from behind.Young are able to travel with mother in as little as three days.Offspring are usually small, weighing about 143 pounds at birth.Gestation period of approximately 16 months.Births can occur in any month, but typically peak at the end of the rainy season.
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