Namibia: New rhino poaching figures!

According to Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET), the country has lost 22 rhinos to poaching since the beginning of 2020. A total of 46 rhinos got illegally killed by poachers in Namibia in 2019, compared to 78 rhinos that lost their lives to poaching activities during 2018 (2017: 55; 2016: 61).
Namibia is home to the largest population of black rhino of the subspecies Diceros bicornis bicornis* in the world. Approximately 93% of the total population of this taxon are found in the country (as of 31 December 2020).
Namibia hosts a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas and the largest free roaming black rhino population in the world.  
Between 2012 and 2018, the black rhino (diceros bicornis) population across Africa has grown at a modest annual rate of 2.5% from an estimated 4,845 to 5,630 animals in the wild, respectively.

 * According to Wikipedia the subspecies Diceros bicornis bicornis (or southern black rhinoceros) was brought to extinction around 1850 while the subspecies Diceros bicornis occidentalis (or south-western black rhinoceros) has its today's strongholt in Namibia.

Third annual World Rhino Day (22 September 2012)

World Rhino Day from Anthony Roberts on Vimeo.

More information about the third annual World Rhino Day >>

South Africa: 381 384 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2012 (13 Sept 2012) >>

Video: The African rhino poaching crisis

To raise awareness of today's 2nd World Rhino Day (22 Sept 2011), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has produced the following video. Please spread the word and share the video on your facebook page, your blog or website.



South Africa has lost at least 287 rhinos in 2011, so far, including 16 or more critically endangered black rhinos. A majority of the poaching incidents have occurred in the world famous Kruger National Park, but privately owned rhinos have also been targeted. Law enforcement officials have made over 165 arrests so far during the year, and some convicted poachers have been sentenced to up to 12 years in prison.

2nd World Rhino Day is on 22 Sept 2011

In 2010 the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) organised World Rhino Day on 22 September. They created awareness of the plight of rhinos by asking people to make a noise: honk their horns, blow a vuvuzela, shout out — anything at all to make a noise for the rhino.
Continuing the tradition, international organisation Saving Rhinos and Chishakwe Ranch in Zimbabwe have declared 22 September 2011 to be the second World Rhino Day.



For more info about the 2011 Word Rhino Day visit the facebook page and download the campaign poster (pdf).