State of the Rhino Report 2026

Key takeaways :
In the first quarter of the 21st century, greater one horned rhino populations increased substantially, black rhinos more than doubled, and white rhinos increased overall (although heavy poaching has led to decreases in recent years). Meanwhile, Sumatran rhinos experienced a severe decline. Javan rhino numbers fluctuated slightly year over year before decreasing sharply by 33% from 2019 to 2023, due to poaching.
White rhinos decreased from the last count in 2023 of 17,464 to 15,752 in 2024, mostly due to losses in South Africa due to poaching. However, legal accountability for poaching crimes has been on the rise in South Africa and several other African countries.
The number of black rhinos increased from 6,195 in 2022 to 6,788 at the end of 2024. Greater one-horned rhinos also increased, estimated at 4,075 (up from 4,014 in 2022).
Most range states did not publicly release updated poaching counts in 2025; for those that did, poaching declined overall.
Population Viability Analysis forecasts Javan rhinos could go extinct within the next five decades. Protection of the population is critical.
Rhinos are being translocated to historical ranges across Africa and thus far, showing success with reintroduction. Range countries in Asia are following suit with this tactic, but habitat health has presented obstacles there.