WHITE RHINO

Untitled Slide

OVER VIEW

• Southern white rhinos were thought to be extinct in the late 19th century but in 1895 a small population of less than 100 individuals was discovered in Kwazulu-Natal South Africa.

WHY THEY MATTER

• The protection of rhinos helps protect other species. Rhinos contribute to economic growth and sustainable development through the tourism industry, which creates job opportunities and provides benefits to local communities living alongside rhinos.

THREATS

• uncontrolled hunting in the colonial era caused the major decline of white rhinos. Today, poaching for their horn is the main threat

WHAT WWF IS DOING

• WWF is setting up an Africa-wide rhino database using rhino horn DNA analysis (RhoDIS), which contributes to forensic investigations at the scene of the crime and for court evidence to greatly strengthen prosecution cases. In South Africa and Kenya, it has been circulated into law as legal evidence in courts and rhino management.