OT Staff & Waquar Habib
South Africa leads globally with around 16,056 rhinos, including both white and black species. Its extensive reserves and anti-poaching efforts make it the core of rhino conservation in Africa.
Namibia hosts approximately 3,612 rhinos. Its vast desert and savannah protected areas, such as Etosha National Park, support relatively stable populations of both black and white rhinos.
India’s rhino population is about 3,262, mainly of the greater one-horned (Indian) species. Concentrated in Assam, West Bengal and parts of the Terai, populations have risen steadily over decades.
Kenya holds around 1,811 rhinos, both black and white. Conservancies, national parks like Nairobi and Laikipia, and collaborative anti-poaching programmes help sustain Kenya’s rhino presence.
Zimbabwe’s rhino numbers are close to 1,033. Its national parks (such as Hwange) and translocation initiatives have helped maintain modest growth despite poaching pressure.
Nepal contains approximately 752 rhinos, mainly the greater one-horned species. Conservation corridors between Nepal and India aid population exchange, especially in Chitwan, Bardia and Parsa reserves.
Botswana has about 265 rhinos. It uses large wilderness areas and secured anti-poaching measures in parks like Okavango Delta to protect both black and white rhinos.
Tanzania’s rhino count is around 212. It has small populations of black rhino in reserves like Ngorongoro and Serengeti, though threats like habitat fragmentation pose challenges.
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) hosts approximately 146 rhinos, both black and white. As a small country, it manages rhino populations via collaborations with larger neighbours and fenced reserves.
Indonesia has a critically small rhino presence—around 97 total, largely the Sumatran and Javan species. Their populations are precarious, with Javan rhinos often restricted to Ujung Kulon National Park.