Today, there are just 5 species of rhino existing in the world today. These 5 species of rhino are 1) Javan rhinos, 2) Sumatran rhinos, 3) Greater one-horned rhino, 4) black rhino, and 5) white rhinos. Three of these rhino species are critically endangered, one of them is vulnerable to extinction and the other rhino species is near threatened with extinction.
Additionally to that, in recent years, two rhino species have become extinct in the wild. The two species of rhino that have become extinct in the wild in recent years is the Western Black Rhino and the Northern White Rhino. Today, there are only two individual Northern White Rhinos in existence, and, both of them are female, which leaves little to no chance of this species surviving. There is frozen sperm from the last male Northern White Rhino that is left, but the chances of this species surviving into the future seem very slim. The last male Northern White Rhino died in 2018.
Whereas, the Western Black Rhino became extinct in 2011.
Today, the remaining 5 rhinos that are surviving are also facing extinction in the wild. However, there has also been some positive news lately: a new report by the IUCN has said that the African black rhino population has increased. We are going to look at the African black rhino and four other of the most endangered rhinos in the world today in this list.
5) White Rhinos
Out of all of the rhino species alive today, the white rhino is the most populous rhino species by far. White rhinos are near threatened today, with a population of 10,080 mature rhinos today. Their total population is estimated to be as high as over 18,064 rhinos.
There are two subspecies of white rhinos: Northern White Rhinos and Southern white rhinos. There are only 2 individual Northern White rhinos left in the world. Therefore, the vast majority of white rhinos that are living today are Southern white rhinos.
Fun fact: White rhinos can live as long as 50 years.
4) Black rhinos
Black rhinos aren’t as numerous as white rhinos. Despite their names, there is no colour different between the black rhino and the white rhino and both of them are grey.
There are a total of three black rhino subspecies. These three black rhino subspecies are: 1) the East African black rhino, 2) the South-Western black rhino and 3) the Southern-Central black rhino. There was also a fourth species of black rhino called the West African black rhino, however, the West African black rhino became extinct in 2011.
Fun fact: The population of black rhinos is increasing
3) The Greater One-Horned Rhino
Africa is famous for its rhinos, however, Africa is not the only continent in the world that has rhinos: Asia has several rhino species too. And, one of those species of rhinos that lives within Asia is, the Greater one-horned Rhino. The Greater one-horned rhino is found only within a few Asian countries, such as India and Nepal.
The Greater one-horned rhino is one of the least populous rhinos in the world today. Today, there are 3,588 Greater one-horned rhinos living in the wild today. Although their population is small, greater one-horned rhinos are not endangered or critically endangered, instead, greater one-horned rhinos are classed as being vulnerable to extinction.
Fun fact: Greater one-horned rhinos were once on the brink of extinction with once having fewer than 100 rhinos left in the wild, making this animal a remarkable conservation success story.
2) Sumatran Rhinos
The Sumatran rainforest is famous for its unique and beautiful animals, such as the Sumatran tiger and the Sumatran orangutan. The Sumatran rainforest is home to another striking and beautiful animal: Sumatran rhinos.
Sumatran rhinos are also found in Asia, on the island of Sumatra which is in Indonesia. However, through poaching and deforestation, the Sumatran rhino is now one of the world's second most endangered rhino species and one of the most endangered animals in the world today. Today, there are just 75 individual Sumatran rhinos left in the wild today.
Fun fact: Sumatran rhinos are the smallest of all the rhino species
1) Javan rhinos
Javan rhinos are another species of rhino that exists within the Sumatran rainforest. Javan rhinos are the most endangered rhino in the world today, they are critically endangered today. These are also one of the most endangered animals in the world today, as it’s estimated that there are only 72 individual Javan rhinos left in the world today.
The last 72 Javan rhinos are the last of their kind and the last of their group to survive. They may be one of the next species of rhino to go extinct if they aren’t able to breed successfully, they aren’t protected from poachers and their habitat isn’t protected from deforestation.
Fun fact: Wildlife conservationists have got to know the different Javan rhinos which are alive today. Such a one who is called Rawing. You can read more about Rawing here.
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