After experiencing one of the steepest declines in large mammal history, black rhinos are making a remarkable comeback through innovative conservation efforts. The dramatic drop in black rhino numbers – from an estimated 100,000 animals around the 1900s to fewer than 2,400 in the mid-1990s – is, sadly, well-recognised as one of the steepest declines of a large mammal species. However, the impressive recovery of the species since this low is less well-known.
This success was achieved through innovative biological management, including re-introducing rhinos into their previous ranges, maintaining annual growth rates exceeding 5%, and meticulously managing rhinos across meta-populations. Conservation teams have simultaneously secured the safety of rhino habitats through dedicated protection efforts at individual sites, alongside addressing transnational organised criminal networks.
Recent analysis by the IUCN Species Survival Commission African Rhino Specialist Group used cutting-edge conservation assessment tools to measure the species’ recovery progress. While black rhinos remain critically endangered, their population has grown steadily, demonstrating that dedicated conservation efforts can reverse even the most dire extinction trends. This success story serves as hope for other endangered species worldwide.