South African Populations Sees Small Improvement
Wildlife and biodiversity conservation, which is emphasized each year on World Wildlife Day on March 3, has focused on the endangered black rhino of South Africa. One way to support this work is through the Wildlife Conservation Bond, a $150 million pilot project started in 2022 by the World Bank to increase black rhino populations. Investors receive a payment based on the success of the project from the World Bank and Global Environment Facility. Below are highlights from a midterm review of the implementation status and results report from November 2024.
Black rhino populations have increased by 7.65% as of December 2023, an improvement compared with the 3.70% decrease two years prior. There is a projected increase of 4% by December 2026.
The area under improved rhino conservation management was 154,826 hectares (about 382,583 acres) in October 2024, which is unchanged from six months prior. However, this area is projected to decrease slightly to 153,141 hectares (about 378,419 acres) by December 2026.
Of the above 154,825 hectares under management, 111,949 hectares (276,632 acres) were from Addo Elephant National Park and 42,877 hectares (about 105,951 acres) were from the Great Fish River Nature Reserve.
Rhino mortality rate was 0.87% in December 2023, an improvement compared with 4% in December 2021. However, there are concerns mortality will climb again to 4% in December 2026.
According to the IUCN Red List of endangered species, the black rhino has been critically endangered since 2020 and was “largely depleted” in 2024. There are now over 3,000 mature rhinos with an increasing population trend.
According to Save the Rhino, poaching black rhinos for use of their horns in Asia and the Middle East caused their population to decline by 96% between 1970 and 1992. At the population’s lowest point, there were only about 2,400 animals remaining.
Sources:
Comments