Rhino populations are quite challenging to count logistically in many regions. Rhinos are solitary animals that might be hard to effectively observe, particularly in thick foliage. Because of their reclusive nature, it is difficult to follow them regularly, which causes population numbers to be underestimated.
Additionally, according to the State of Rhino report by the International Rhino Foundation, which is published every September to give an update on the endangered species, many rhino range states do not perform rhino counts every year, therefore they are unable to produce yearly population estimates; even when they do, the data is not always published.
Regardless of this, the foundation publishes a relatively accurate estimate of the rhino population in its annual report, especially with the white and black rhinos found in Africa.
Endangered Rhino
Of the five rhino species, white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) are the most common, with an estimated number around 17,464 scattered over 11 African nations. Unfortunately they are also the most targeted by poachers with their number dwindling by 24% to 15,942, between 2012-2021.
As for the black rhinos, they can be found in 12 countries and their figures range around 6,421. Black rhinos were formerly the most prevalent rhino species worldwide; records suggest that as many as 100,000 black rhinos may have existed in Africa in 1960.
Poaching had cut the population to around 65,000 by 1970, and the number of black rhinos dropped sharply until the mid-1990s, when there were just about 2,300 left.
The report by the International Rhino Foundation notes that “Rhino poaching in Africa increased by 4% from 2022 to 2023. At least 586 African rhinos were poached in 2023, one every 15 hours.
While thriving in several regions, the total black rhino population declined slightly over the last year due to heavy poaching in Namibia and Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park in South Africa.”
It also revealed that “White rhino populations in South Africa are on the rise despite poaching.”
With that said, here are the 10 African countries with the highest number of Rhinos left
Top 10 African countries with the largest number of rhinos left
| Rank | Country | Estimated Rhino Population, by species (as of the end of 2021, unless otherwise noted) |
|---|---|---|
|
1. |
South Africa |
16,056 rhino (2,065 black, 13,991 white)*estimate as of the end of 2023, reported Aug 2024 |
|
2. |
Namibia |
3,612 rhino (2,196 black, 1,416 white) |
|
3. |
Kenya |
1,811 rhino |
|
4. |
Zimbabwe |
1,033 rhino (616 black, 417 white) |
|
5. |
Botswana |
265 rhino (23 black, 242 white) |
|
6. |
Tanzania |
212 black rhino |
|
7. |
Eswatini |
146 rhino (48 black, 98 white) |
|
8. |
Zambia |
66 rhino (58 black, 8 white) |
|
9 |
Rwanda |
58 rhino (28 black, 30 white) |
|
10. |
Malawi |
56 black rhino |
