In the Footsteps of Giants: A Crash of Rhinos

You possibly know that the collective noun for a group of rhinos is ‘a crash’. It’s a fun fact – but the phrase could equally apply to something in a much less fun way. In the last decade, it could be said that rhino populations have crashed too. In Africa, over 10,000 rhinos have been the victim of ruthless and illegal poaching since 2008, when the current poaching crisis began*.

In South Africa, between 2013 and 2017, at least 1,000 rhinos were lost a year*. The worst year on record was 2015, when a shocking 1,349 rhinos were brutally killed by criminal gangs*. Since then, incidents of poaching have decreased, but there are worrying signs that demand for rhino horn is on the increase again. In 2023, 499 rhinos were killed in South Africa – indicating a 10% increase over 2022 figures. We are yet to fully see the trends for 2024, but at the halfway point, 229 rhino poaching incidents had already been recorded (it was 231 at a similar point in 2023).

In Asia, rhinos unfortunately aren’t fairing any better. 26 critically endangered Javan rhinos have been lost to poachers in recent years, leaving just 76 in the wild. Furthermore, rhinos across Asia face significant environmental challenges, as the climate crisis brings decimating storms that can rip through fragile rhino habitat to devastating effect. From the erosive force of mudslides to floodwaters that sweep away shelter and food sources alike, human impact on rhino populations is felt across the world and in multiple ways.

A further example of this is how higher global temperatures are also affecting rhinos. Known as nature’s tank, their tough, armour-like skin comes with one major downside – they can’t sweat. So, if they want to cool down, they have no choice but to wallow in mud, spend time in water (or drink it), or stay in the shade. Some of these resources are becoming scarcer due to the climate crisis, whilst being forced to be inactive for longer periods means less time foraging for food. The consequences of these forced behaviours are just as dire as the threat from poachers.

But the future for rhinos is not one without hope. And that’s thanks to the incredible work we’re able to do on behalf of these amazing animals with your support. Being one of our core species, we’ve been proud protectors of rhinos since our inception in 1984.

We’re able to fund boots-on-the-ground solutions through our Field Partners, with anti-poaching patrols and programmes across Africa and Asia. But we are also actively seeking greater legal protections for rhinos by being a voice for them when we engage with government bodies and international policy conventions (such as CITES), to ensure the toughest legislation is enacted and implemented. DSWF is also proud to have been funding the successful protection of the world’s only remaining desert-adapted black rhinos in the world, for nearly 40 years.

If you’d like to be part of this incredible species-saving work, you can donate to our 40^th anniversary appeal – In the Footsteps of Giants.

*Save the Rhino.

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