International Rhino Foundation (IRF) released State of the Rhino 2024 Report | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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International Rhino Foundation (IRF) released State of the Rhino 2024 Report

Posted 24 Sep 2024

2 min read

IRF, initially called International Black Rhino Foundation in 1991, is dedicated to survival of world’s rhino species.

Key findings of report

  • With all five species combined, there are just under 28,000 rhinos left in world.
  • Rhino poaching in Africa increased by 4% from 2022 to 2023. 
  • Number of white rhinos increased but greater one-horned rhino (Indian Rhino) number remained same. 
  • White rhino populations in South Africa are on rise despite poaching.

About Rhino

  • Five species of rhino: 2 African (White Rhino, Black Rhino) and 3 Asian (Indian rhino, Sumatran Rhino, and Javan Rhino).
  • Rhino conservation initiatives: National Rhino Conservation Strategy 2019 to conserve Indian rhino; New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019; Indian Rhino Vision 2020 etc.

Difference between African Rhino and Asian Rhino

Features

African Rhino

Asian Rhino

SizeWhite Rhino is second-largest land mammals after elephants.Indian Rhino is largest of all Asian rhino species.

Appearance and Behaviour

 

 

Less armoured look 

More aggressive

2 horns

Poor swimmers and they can drown in deep water (so they wallow in mud)

Fights with their horns 

Feed low to the ground

More armoured look 

Less aggressive

2 horns (Sumatran rhino) and 1 horn (Indian Rhino and Javan rhinos)

Good swimmers 

Fights with its bottom teeth

Graze on tall grasses, shrubs, leaves.

HabitatGrasslands, savannas and shrublands; desertsTropical and subtropical grasslands and savannahs, Tropical moist forests
Conservation status (IUCN)

White Rhino: Near threatened

Black Rhino: Critically Endangered

Indian Rhino: Vulnerable; Schedule I (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972)

Sumatran Rhino: Critically Endangered

Javan Rhino: Critically Endangered

  • Tags :
  • International Black Rhino Foundation
  • African Rhino
  • Asian Rhino
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