Are Black Rhino numbers increasing or decreasing?

[postoak]

If you go by the headlines, black rhinos are being quickly exterminated. If you go to rhino preservation websites, they show that numbers have almost doubled since 1993, from about 2700 to 5000. So, which is it?

 

[Wheels]

I know nothing about the subject other than what I have read and don't have any numbers at my fingertips. It is my understanding they were rising in numbers till the past 5 or so years and have been hit pretty hard since then. This could still fit what you are saying. 2700 to a number greater than 5000, now knocked down to the 5000 figure.

 

[BRICKBURN]

"There are currently 5,055 Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and 20,405 White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) in Africa. Although these numbers have increased slightly over the last two years, there is no room for complacency. "


"Updated facts on the rhino crisis come on the eve of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) that will take place from 3 to 14 March in Bangkok, Thailand."


IUCN - African rhinos won?t hold out for much longer, IUCN experts warn

 

[postoak]

Well, I tend to distrust what organizations coming from an anti-hunting position say. I don't know if CITES is that, but the headline doesn't match the statement in the article. In it, it said the rate of growth was slowing. So absolute numbers are increasing.

Yes, I'm not advocating complacency, but I want the actual facts. It sounds to me as if there were no poaching losses that both species would be increasing quite a bit.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Well, I tend to distrust what organizations coming from an anti-hunting position say. ..........

Not sure where you get this conclusion from.

IUCN Open letter in support of DSC Black Rhino Auction!

Have a read:

AFRICAN INDABA - Newsletter

 

[postoak]

Thanks. I didn't want to read all that because what I said is that I tend to distrust anti-hunting organizations for delivering the truth, and I don't know whether CITES is such an organization or not, but their headline didn't match their own article. Black rhino and white rhino numbers are increasing.

Just to reiterate, we still mustn't be complacent.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thanks. I didn't want to read all that because what I said is that I tend to distrust anti-hunting organizations for delivering the truth, and I don't know whether CITES is such an organization or not, but their headline didn't match their own article. Black rhino and white rhino numbers are increasing.

Just to reiterate, we still mustn't be complacent.

Fair enough.