2, Two white rhinos were seen alive in Mozambique, but whether they are escapees from Kruger Park in South Africa is unknown.
Part of the big increase from 1997 to 1999 is because of the revised Kruger National Park figures that were based on a 15% aerial distance sampling estimate. To err on the side of caution, it was decided to take the lower 95% level as the Kruger population estimate.
6784
7532
8441
10377, trend up
Numbers by country. Table 1 shows total numbers of African rhino, with the numbers broken down by country and subspecies. It should be noted that estimates based on speculation or old data are not included in the population totals given.
2400
Continent-wide, black rhino numbers stabilized at about 2400 between 1992 and 1995, increasing up to 2600 by 1997. Encouragingly, the latest 1999 black rhino estimate of -2700 indicates numbers continue to creep upwards. The major range states are still South Africa (1 074), Namibia (695), Zimbabwe (435) and Kenya (420). While the increase is encouraging, some rated populations in a number of range states have been performing suboptimally and may be overstocked.
10, trend down
extinct?
extinct?
7, trend up
7, trend up
420
420, stable
temporary
temporary
42
10
AfRSG estimates. Southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum sinium) numbers have continued to increase to an estimated 10,377 in 1999, up from 8441 in 1997, 7532 in 1995 and 6784 in 1993. Part of the big increase from 1997 to 1999 is because of the revised Kruger National Park figures that were based on a 15% aerial distance sampling estimate. To err on the side of caution, it was decided to take the lower 95% level as the Kruger population estimate. South Africa remains by far the most important range state, with 94% of the wild population, amounting to 9754 white rhinos.
The most numerous subspecies, the southern central D. b. minor occurs in six range states, of which South Africa with 1000 (68%) and Zimbabwe with 435 (30%) are by far the most important. Some Zimbabwe populations in particular continue to show rapid growth. Overall numbers have increased from 1298 in 1995 to 1363 in 1997 to 1467 in 1999. The recent invasions of Zimbabwean conservancies by war veterans is, however, a cause for concern.
Namibia remains the stronghold of the southwestern black rhino, D. b. bicornis, conserving 94% of the estimated 737 animals in 1999.
Overall numbers of the eastern D. b. michaeli were pretty stable, with the majority (86%) being conserved in Kenya.
The most critically endangered subspecies remains the western subspecies, Diceros bicornis longipes. While there have not been any new surveys, remaining rhinos are still restricted to a small scattered population in northern Cameroon.
2600
Northern white rhinos remain limited to Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo but have fared better in the second civil war. Surveys have confirmed at least 24 animals existing and quite possibly as many as 7 others. Subsequent information from Dr Kes Smith suggests the true population is towards the higher side of this range.
Northern white rhinos remain limited to Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
6
2704
435
435, trend down
15
32
490
1000
32
1074, trend up
6, trend up
695
695, trend up
Numbers of D. b. minor in Tanzania may well be higher, but this requires confirmation.
1467
163
164
208
9754
28
47, trend up
10
10, trend up
208, trend up
50, trend up
9754, trend up
163, trend up
2, trend down?
5, trend down
10
737
Exact Swaziland numbers were given to the AFRSG but are being kept confidential for security reasons. The table shows approximations to true number.
164, trend up
28, trend up?
31, trend up
AfRSG data. Two white rhinos were seen alive in Mozambique, but whether they are escapees from Kruger Park in South Africa is unknown.
AfRSG data. Northern white rhinos remain limited to Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo but have fared better in the second civil war. Surveys have confirmed at least 24 animals existing and quite possibly as many as 7 others. Subsequent information from Dr Kes Smith suggests the true population is towards the higher side of this range.
AfRSG data. Southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum sinium) numbers have continued to increase to an estimated 10,377 in 1999, up from 8441 in 1997, 7532 in 1995 and 6784 in 1993. Part of the big increase from 1997 to 1999 is because of the revised Kruger National Park figures that were based on a 15% aerial distance sampling estimate. To err on the side of caution, it was decided to take the lower 95% level as the Kruger population estimate.
AfRSG data. 'Key' and' important' populations Table 2 shows that by 1999, continentally there were 76 AfRSG-rated 'key' or important rhino populations. In 1999, the 76 populations rated key and important conserved 84.2% and 83.3% of Africa's black and white rhinos respectively. Corresponding proportions of the subspecies conserved in AfRSG-rated populations varied from 76.1% (eastern black) to 83.3% (southern white) to 85.8% (south-western black) to 86% (south central black) to 100% for the two rarest subspecies (northern white and western black). The key-rated populations alone conserve just over three-quarters of both black and white rhinos in the wild. By way of contrast, the 47 unrated black and 197 unrated white rhino populations conserved 427 and 1736 rhinos respectively. Table 2. Number of key and importantAfrican rhinoceros populations by country in1999 Black rhino White rhino Rated populations Rating Key 1 Key 2 Important Key 1 Key 2 Important key & important Cameroon 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 DR Congo 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Kenya 0 2 7 0 1 2 12 Namibia 2 0 1 0 0 3 6 South Africa 2 1 6 4 5 25 43 Swaziland 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Zimbabwe 0 3 4 0 0 5 12 Total 5 6 18 5 6 36 76 Terms as defined in the African Rhino Action Plan: Key 1 - population increasing or stable, n > 100 or 50% of the subspecies Key 2 - population increasing or stable and n = 51-1 00 or 26-50% of the subspecies Important - population increasing or stable and n = 20-50.
