​Southern Black Rhino
​Diceros bicornis minor

STATUS: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

In the later part of the 20th century, the population of black rhinos decreased by 96%. By 1993, there were only about 2,300 surviving black rhinos in the wild- a drastic comparison to the 65,000 black rhinos in Africa only 23 years before that. The population is slowly rebounding with about 5,000-5,450 black rhinos living in the wild today, but the threat of poaching remains strong.​

​Before the turn of the 20th century, written accounts by explorers illustrated frequent encounters with plentiful numbers of black rhinos. Black rhinos have always been seen as a captivating species due to their incredible stature and magnificent horns. These striking features however have also been the reason for their demise. Many eastern cultures believe that rhino horns can be used to cure ailments in traditional medicine and rhinos have been hunted to near extinction as they are killed for the rhino horn trade.

Southern Black Rhino Sustainability Program (SBRSP)
​

C2S2 is partnering with the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) to establish a viable Southern black rhinoceros assurance population that focuses on breeding, research, exhibition, and (if possible and appropriate) the ultimate reintroduction of animals to the wild.

​The objectives of the SBRSP are to:
​​  ●  Develop a long-term, global ex situ management plan and its
​      linkage potential to the species living in nature.

  ●  ​Continue supporting on-the-ground conservation and
      protection of wild populations.

  ●  Recruit global partners to hold or breed animals.
​
  ●  Continue to advance husbandry and knowledge of the species.
​

​Genomic assessment of the existing ex situ population is a priority with mitochondrial sequencing and whole genome sequencing analysis for baseline assessment of the population being conducted by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and funded by IRF.

The SBRSP Executive Committee works closely with the C2S2 and IRF to lead the direction of the program: Nick Boyle, Taronga Conservation Society Australia; Adam Eyres, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center; Bart DuPont, El Coyote Ranch; Mike Fouraker, Fort Worth Zoo; Jim Fouts, Tanganyika Wildlife Park; and Scotty Wade, White Oak Conservation.

​The advisory group consists of Gina Ferrie, Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute; Terri Roth, Cincinnati Zoo; Kelley Snodgrass, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center; and Gavin Livingston, Zoofari Parks Inc.

​Co-Led By:

​Program Sponsors:

​Characteristics

​Gray in color
Double-horned
Pointed prehensible upper lip
​

​Native Range

​Southern African
​

​Habitat

​Brush and scattered
open woodlands
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Birthing & Gestation

​Birthing season year-round, peaks with the rainy season
Gestation: 15 – 16 months
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Diet

Leaves, twigs, shrubs, bark and herbs.
​

Predators

Adults have no natural enemies but humans
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