Global Rhino Population Increases Amid Continued Threats

The global rhino population has slightly increased to approximately 28,000 in 2023, but poaching remains a significant threat, particularly in Africa where 586 rhinos were killed, up from 551 in 2022. South Africa has seen an increase in white rhinos due to preservation efforts, but black rhinos have declined. In India, the one-horned rhino population has grown significantly due to conservation efforts, with Assam's population rising from about 600 in the 1960s to over 3,000 in 2024. Assam has also seen an 86% drop in poaching since 2016, attributed to habitat expansion and restoration initiatives. However, rhinos continue to face threats from habitat loss and the high demand for their horns, believed to have medicinal properties.