A Preliminary Report on African Rhino Status in China

Authors:

ZHOU Jinfeng, WANG Haibin, WONG Linda, AN Qinqin, ZHANG Ming,

XU Yanjun, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation

Abstract：

African rhinos, including White rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) and Black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix. White rhinos are listed in Appendix I and II (only the population of South Africa and Swaziland and for the exclusive purpose of allowing international trade in live animals to appropriate and acceptable destinations and hunting trophies ). Black rhinos are listed in Appendix I. In order to sort out the rhino population in China, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) publishes the preliminary report of the study results.

Keywords: African rhinos, White rhinos, Black rhinos, CITES, captivity, CoP19

ZHOU Jinfeng, WANG Haibin, WONG Linda, AN Qinqin, ZHANG Ming, XU Yanjun   A Preliminary Report on African Rhino Status in China. Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development，March 2022, ISSN2749-9065

In response to the request from IUCN SSC African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG) for the information of African rhinos in captivity in China, The China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) surveyed the current status and distribution of African Rhinoceros in China through literature reviews, data analysis, field visits and observation, surveys, interviews and data mining.

According to our inventory, there are 322 African rhinos in 46 facilities by February 2022, distributed in large and medium-sized zoos in 25 out of 31 provinces (municipalities, regions).

There are 308 white rhinos in captivity, distributed in 46 institutions. And another 14 Black rhinos are exclusively held in 1 of the 46 facilities.

This is the preliminary report of the study results. We believe the numbers of captive facilities and African rhinos should be higher as the study continues.