Rhinos provide ecosystem services and contribute to sustainable development goals. During March–April 2022, the African Rhino Specialist Group met over several virtual sessions to examine a number of issues. One of the key aims was to update the 19th Conference of the Parties to CITES on the status of rhinos (cites.org/sites/default/files/documents/E-CoP19-75.pdf). Range states reported 6,195 black rhinos Diceros bicornis as of the end of 2021, increasing at 3.0% per year. The 15,942 white rhinos Ceratotherium simum are declining at 3.1% per year despite poaching rates having declined from 5.1% in 2015 to 2.3% in 2021. Globally, 218 black and 1,077 white rhinos are kept ex situ.
Sessions on conducting Red List assessments, prioritizing populations, understanding dispersal, sharing management experiences and securing land identified ways to improve rhino status. Congested and declining habitat requires managing ecological units across borders. Although range states imported 162 and exported 369 rhinos, 60 beyond their historical ranges and 81 beyond Africa during 2018–2021, a metapopulation framework could enhance conservation outcomes for rhinos.
Sessions on law enforcement, crime networks, trade, rhino horn stockpiles and markets focused on poaching and trafficking risks. Rhinos in large areas are often most at risk from illegal killing as it is hard to maintain patrols cost-effectively, retain staff commitment and integrity, and collect detailed information on the rhinos. Rhinos fare best when government, private, non-government, and local people partner to manage them. Covid-19 travel restrictions, stricter laws and increased law enforcement most likely resulted in a reduced number of horns entering the illegal market in 2020 (1,531–1,729, down from 2,378 in 2017). There are currently 87.3 t of stockpiled horns.
Sessions on understanding socio-economic matters and the multiple values of rhinos helped to identify information gaps. South Africa and Namibia allowed hunting of up to 0.2% of their black and white rhino populations per year, helping to generate revenue for conservation. It was noted that social changes favour inclusive human rights-based sustainability approaches to conservation over exclusive animal conservation needs, and self-determination by local people drives critical participatory decision-making in conservation, for their own future. It was also noted that perturbations, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, led African countries to diversify their economies, including expanding sustainable use of biodiversity values.
Reflective sessions on rhino conservation plans and transdisciplinary theoretical frameworks guided discussions of future conservation outcomes for rhinos, identifying needs for tactical and ideological shifts in policies and decision-making. Many current rhino protection approaches focus on eliminating poaching. However, poachers frequently change tactics, and criminal networks adapt, and thus measurement of progress is challenging. These conditions require continuous reflection and adaptation to ensure the persistence of rhinos and their values to people. The meeting concluded that the future of rhinos remains in the hands of people, requiring cooperation, co-development and sharing of lessons learnt.
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