Sudan A Reminder of Problems Rhinos Face
Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, was euthanized this week at the Ol Peteja Conservancy in Kenya. Sudan had previously lived in a zoo in Europe, but was returned to Africa in the hope he could sire an offspring to help keep the species alive. The two surviving northern white rhino are female, and scientists are researching fertilization methods to keep the genes of the species alive.
The northern white rhino population decreased rapidly because of poaching and civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries. Rhino horns fetch lucrative sums from buyers in the Middle East and Asia. In some Asian cultures, rhino horns are believed to have tremendous medicinal benefits such as curing cancer. From an estimated population of over 2000 in 1960, the numbers plummeted over the last few decades, and the northern white rhino was considered extinct in the wild a few years ago. The western black rhino is also considered extinct. How are the other African rhinos doing?
Southern White Rhino
There are over 20,000 southern white rhinos, with the vast majority found in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, according to the WWF. The southern white rhino is classified with near threatened status. Poaching is a problem in South Africa-the South African Department of Environmental Affairs reported that 1,028 rhino were poached in 2017. While the amount of rhino poaching incidents decreased at Kruger National Park, there were increases in other areas.
Black Rhino
Three subspecies of African black rhino remain. Along with the western black rhino, the southeastern black rhino and cape rhino are classified as extinct. Black rhino are found in a few different countries-including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. Black rhino were extinct in Zambia, but successfully reintroduced a few years ago. The black rhino was also reintroduced to Akagera National Park in Rwanda. The WWF estimates that conservation efforts have increased the number of black rhinos from less than 2500 in 1995 to over 5000 currently. Because of the value of rhino horns, poaching remains a serious threat, and black rhinos are classified as critically endangered.
While conservation efforts have increased rhino populations in some areas, Sudan’s death is a reminder of what can happen if greater efforts aren’t made towards preventing poaching and curbing the illegal rhino horn trade.
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