Southern white rhinoceros

Ceratotherium simum simum

White rhinoceros are among the largest land mammals living today. Despite their imposing body size, they are vulnerable to human activities. Their populations are primarily threatened by poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn.

Red List

Near Threatened

Breeding programme

The white rhinoceros was almost wiped out in the early 20th century. Strict conservation measures have enabled the southern white rhinoceros subspecies to recover.

The northern white rhinoceros has been considered extinct in the wild since 2008. The last male, named ‘Sudan’, died in March 2018 at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

As well as frequent periods of drought, poaching poses the greatest threat to rhinos. They are hunted for their horns. It is made of keratin, just like our fingernails, toenails and hair. In Chinese medicine, the horn is regarded as an aphrodisiac. It commands a high price on the black market, which further fuels poaching.

Taxonomy

Rhinocerotidae, Ceratotherium (1 species)

Habitat

grassland, savanna with scattered scrub and trees

Social structure

females in maternal family groups with offspring, males with territories, solitary individuals or in bachelor groups

Diet

short grasses

Taxonomy

Rhinocerotidae, Ceratotherium (1 species)

Habitat

grassland, savanna with scattered scrub and trees

Social structure

females in maternal family groups with offspring, males with territories, solitary individuals or in bachelor groups

Diet

short grasses

Become a godparent

White rhinoceros are among the largest land mammals living today. Despite their imposing body size, they are vulnerable to human activities. Their populations are primarily threatened by poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn.

Taxonomy

Habitat

Social structure

Diet