The number of rhinos on the African continent increased last year. Nearly 23,300 rhinos roamed the continent at the end of last year, an increase of 5.2 percent compared to 2021, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN.
– With this good news, we can breathe a sigh of relief for the first time in a decade, says Michael Knight, who represents the IUCN.
The Union has compiled estimates of rhinos from different countries. The number of pointed rhinos, also called black rhinos, has increased to just over 6,480. The tussock rhinoceros, also known as white rhinos, has increased to just over 16,800, in the first increase since 2012 according to the IUCN.
Rhino poaching remains a widespread problem, although reduced compared to a decade ago. Last year, more than 550 rhinos were shot across the continent, mainly in South Africa, according to the IUCN.
Almost 80 percent of all rhinos in the world live in South Africa.