The Black Rhinoceros has been listed as Critically Endangered since 2001. Recent surveys into Cameroon have failed to find any signs of the West African subspecies. It is likely that the ongoing political instability of the area has allowed poachers to remove the last of these rhinos. The remaining subspecies are increasing in number but still require protection.

With an overall population of only about 3600 animals spread throughout all of Africa, the Black Rhino is far from safe from extinction. Between 2000 and 2005 the trade in illegal rhino horn increased significantly. Long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating high fevers, rhinoceros horn has also been carved into ornamental cups, bowls, and daggers. In the meantime, efforts to destroy stockpiles of rhinoceros horn have been defeated. Destruction of the stockpiles would make sales of poached rhino horn much more difficult since there would be no ‘legal' stock with which to mix the poached specimens.

Black rhino populations are being reduced at an alarming rate. In 1980, there were fewer than 15,000 animals-a reduction of over 50,000 animals in just 10 years. Today experts estimate the wild population at less than 2,400. There are approximately 200 black rhinos in zoological institutions