The western black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis longipes) or West African black rhinoceros is a
subspecies of the
black rhinoceros, declared
extinct by the
IUCN in 2011.
[1][2] The western black rhinoceros was believed to have been genetically different from other rhino subspecies.
[3] It was once widespread in the
savanna of
sub-Saharan Africa, but its numbers declined due to
poaching. The western black rhinoceros resided primarily in
Cameroon, but surveys since 2006 have failed to locate any individuals.
The western black rhinoceros was heavily hunted in the beginning of the 20th century, but the population rose in the 1930s after preservation actions were taken. As protection efforts declined over the years, so did the number of western black rhinos. By 1980 the population was in the hundreds. No animals are known to be held in captivity, however it was believed in 1988 that approximately 20–30 were being kept for breeding purposes.
[11] Poaching continued and by 2000 only an estimated 10 survived. In 2001, this number dwindled to only five. While it was believed that around thirty still existed in 2004, this was later found to be based upon falsified data.
[12]
Western black rhinoceros - Wikipedia