Today very few rhinos, survive outside national parks and reserves. Two species of rhinoceros in Asia- Javan and Sumatran are critically endangered. A subspecies of the Javan rhino was classified as extinct in 2011 in Vietnam. There is still a small population of Javan rhinos that cling for survival on the Indonesian island Java. A successful conversation effort has helped the third species of Asian rhinos the Greater one horned rhino (or Indian rhino) to increase their numbers. Their status was changed from endangered to vulnerable, but is still poached for its horns.
In Africa, Southern White rhinos were once thought to be extinct but now thrive in protected sanctuaries and are classified as near threatened. But the Northern white rhino subspecies is believed to be extinct in the wild and only a few captive individuals remaining in a sanctuary in Kenya. Black rhinos have doubled in number over the past two decades from their low point of 2,480 individuals but total numbers are still a fraction of the estimated 100,000 that existed in the early part of the 20th century.
Threats
Habitat Loss
Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Sumatra is thought to have one of the largest Sumatran rhino populations, but is losing forests due to conversion for coffee and rice by illegal settlers. In southern Zimbabwe, privately owned rhino conservancies have been invaded by people with no land. This reduces the amount of safe habitat for rhinos and increases the risk of poaching and snaring.
Disease
In the recent years four Javan rhinos, including one young adult female, are thought to have died from disease, probably transmitted to wild cattle in the park and then subsequently to the rhinos.
Illegal Wildlife Trade
Although international trade in rhino horn has been banned under the convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora, since 1977 demand remains high and fuels rhino poaching in both Africa and Asia.
Although poaching is illegal it still occurs. The main market is now in Vietnam where there is a newly emerged belief that Rhino Horn cure cancer. Rhino horn is also used in other traditional Asian medicine to treat a variety of ailments including fever and various blood disorders. It is also used in some Asian cultures as a cure for Hangovers.
