How does poaching threaten black and white rhinoceroses in Africa?

Poaching is the primary threat to the survival of black and white rhinoceroses in Africa today. Despite being protected within national parks and reserves, these animals are targeted by poachers who enter these areas to kill them specifically for their horns.12

The demand for rhino horn is driven by its high value in international markets, where it is used for ornamental items like dagger handles and as an ingredient in traditional medicines. This illegal trade creates a persistent incentive for poaching, which has historically caused catastrophic population declines for both species.134

Protecting rhinoceroses from this threat is an immense challenge. Effective anti-poaching efforts—such as patrolling vast reserves to detect and deter intruders—require significant financial resources. Many African governments struggle to secure the multimillion-dollar budgets necessary to guard these expansive habitats, leaving many rhinoceros populations vulnerable to illegal hunting. Consequently, while conservation programs have helped some populations recover in well-guarded sanctuaries, poaching remains a critical, ongoing threat to the long-term viability of free-ranging rhinoceroses.124