5 SPECIES OF RHINO

Rhinos are one of the most critically endangered species on earth. Not too long ago, at the turn of the 20th century, over 500,000 of the large mammals could be found roaming across Africa and Asia. The awful rise of poaching for rhino horn and habitat loss has since decimated the rhino population. There are currently close to only 26,267 rhinos left in the wild outside parks and sanctuaries. 

Rhino horn is poached to sell on the black market mostly in China and Vietnam. The misconception that the keratin in rhino horn has medicinal properties that can cure a variety of ailments from hangovers to erectile dysfunction has made rhino poaching lucrative. The illegal trade has kept the value of rhino horn on the black market higher than gold, making it worth it for poachers.

There are currently five species of Asian and African rhinoceros left in the world. Three of the five are critically endangered: black, Javan, and Sumatran. Learn more about each rhino species below.