South-central Black Rhinoceros
Encyclopedia
The South-central Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) is a subspecies
of the Black Rhinoceros
. Although it is the most numerous of the Black Rhino subspecies it is still listed as critically endangered by the IUCN red list. Like other Black Rhino subspecies it has a prehensile lip and lives in savannah
habitat
.
through Zambia
, Zimbabwe
, and Mozambique
to the northern and eastern parts of South Africa
. It also probably occurred in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo
, northern Angola
, and eastern Botswana
. Today its stronghold is South Africa and to a lesser extent Zimbabwe, with smaller numbers remaining in Swaziland
, and southern Tanzania. The south-central black rhino is now thought to be extinct in Botswana, Zambia, Angola and possibly also Mozambique.
for its horn their numbers decreased to 1,300 in 1995. In 2001 the population stood at 1,651. Over the last 50 years they have experienced a 90% decline in numbers. Threats toward the subspecies is mainly illegal poaching. Luckily the amount of poaching has decreased in recent years.
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the Black Rhinoceros
Black Rhinoceros
The Black Rhinoceros or Hook-lipped Rhinoceros , is a species of rhinoceros, native to the eastern and central areas of Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola...
. Although it is the most numerous of the Black Rhino subspecies it is still listed as critically endangered by the IUCN red list. Like other Black Rhino subspecies it has a prehensile lip and lives in savannah
Savannah
Savannah or savanna is a type of grassland.It can also mean:-People:* Savannah King, a Canadian freestyle swimmer* Savannah Outen, a singer who gained popularity on You Tube...
habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
.
Range
It once ranged from western and southern TanzaniaTanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
through Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, and Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
to the northern and eastern parts of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It also probably occurred in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
, northern Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, and eastern Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. Today its stronghold is South Africa and to a lesser extent Zimbabwe, with smaller numbers remaining in Swaziland
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
, and southern Tanzania. The south-central black rhino is now thought to be extinct in Botswana, Zambia, Angola and possibly also Mozambique.
Population and threats
The South-central Black Rhino population was at 9,090 in 1980 but due to a wave of illegal poachingPoaching
Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.It may be illegal and in...
for its horn their numbers decreased to 1,300 in 1995. In 2001 the population stood at 1,651. Over the last 50 years they have experienced a 90% decline in numbers. Threats toward the subspecies is mainly illegal poaching. Luckily the amount of poaching has decreased in recent years.
External links
- International Rhino Fund dedicated to the conservation of rhinos