South-western black rhinoceros
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South-western Black Rhinoceros | |
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Subspecies: | D. b. bicornis
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Diceros bicornis bicornis |
The South-western Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis bicornis) is a subspecies of the Black Rhinoceros. The biggest threat towards the subspecies Diceros bicornis bicornis is illegal poaching.[citation needed]
Description
The South-western Black Rhino, like all Black Rhino subspecies, has a distinct prehensile lip and is a browser. It differs from the others because it has the largest and straightest horn. They also are most adapted to arid habitat and can be found in arid savanna and desert climates.
Population & Threats
Historically, this subspecies once roamed in Botswana, South Africa, Angola, and Namibia, but their current range has decreased. The stronghold of the species is primarily in Namibia which has 893 individuals or 94.7% of the subspecies living there.[citation needed] They have also been recently re-introduced to South Africa.[citation needed] The population has more than doubled from only 300 in 1980. According to the last estimate in 2001 there are 943 individuals and none in captivity.[citation needed]
References
http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/39318/summ
http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/39318/dist
http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/39318/doc
http://www.rhinos-irf.org/rhinoinformation/blackrhino/subspecies/southw.htm
External links
http://www.rhinos-irf.org/ (The International Rhino Foundation dedicated to the conservation of rhinos)