Rhino populations

A world map, in yellow, with the number of all five rhino species above their home ranges.

The most recent population figures for all five rhino species, as reported in 2025 by the IUCN SSC African and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups.

Rhino species	Population
Javan rhino	50
Sumatran rhino	34-47
Black rhino	6,788
Greater one-horned rhino	4,075
White rhino	15,752

Source: African and Asian Rhinoceroses – Status, Conservation and Trade, IUCN Species Survival Commission’s African Rhino Specialist Group, Asian Rhino Specialist Group and TRAFFIC (2025).
Further reading: IUCN press release: Poaching of African rhinos down – but drought and other threats drive losses globally (7^th August 2025).

Rhino info

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Credit: Robin Moore / GWC

Javan rhino

In-situ population: 50
IUCN Red List Classification: Critically Endangered
The biggest threats to the Javan rhino are the very small size of the remaining population, habitat limitations and illegal killing for their horns. Investigations by Indonesian police in 2024 revealed that multiple Javan rhinos were poached between 2019 and 2023 by an organised criminal network operating in Ujung Kulon National Park - the species' only home. Beyond poaching, with all animals living in one place, the species is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and disease.

More about the Javan rhino

Credit: Nick Garbutt Photography

Sumatran rhino

In-situ population: 34-47 individuals
IUCN Red List Classification: Critically Endangered
There are now estimated to be between 34 and 47 Sumatran rhinos left in the wild, and efforts are now being invested in captive breeding in an attempt to boost the population. Historically, poaching had depleted the population but their biggest threat today is habitat loss – including forest destruction for palm oil and paper pulp – and increasingly, small, fragmented populations failing to breed.

More about the Sumatran rhino

Credit: Ol Jogi Conservancy

Black rhino

In-situ population: 6,788
IUCN Red List Classification: Critically Endangered
Large-scale poaching saw black rhino populations decline from around 70,000 individuals in 1970 to just 2,410 in 1995 – 96% over 20 years. Thanks to the persistent conservation efforts across Africa, black rhino numbers have risen since then to a current population of above 6,700 individuals. Importantly, their geographic range has also increased, thanks to successful reintroduction projects.

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Credit: Renaud Fulconis

Greater one-horned rhino

In-situ population: 4,075
IUCN Red List Classification: Vulnerable
Greater one-horned rhinos have made a startling comeback from the brink of extinction. By 1900, fewer than 200 individuals remained, but there are now more than 4,000 individuals, due to concerted conservation efforts in both India and Nepal; their remaining strongholds. Although poaching remains a high threat, particularly in Kaziranga National Park, a key area for the species, the need to expand their habitat to provide space for the growing population is a key priority.

More about the Greater one-horned rhino

White rhino

In-situ population: 15,752
IUCN Red List Classification: Near Threatened
The overwhelming rhino conservation success story is that of the Southern white rhino. The white rhino recovered from near extinction with numbers as low as 50 – 100 left in the wild in the early 1900’s, this sub-species of rhino has now increased to >15,000, with the vast majority living in a single country, South Africa. Despite this, it is the subspecies most threatened by poaching. The Northern white rhino, however, has only two females left, after the last male, Sudan, died in March 2018.

More about the white rhino