The black rhino (Diceros bicornis) is a critically endangered rhino species native to Sub-Saharan Africa. There are an estimated 3,142 remaining black rhinos. Sadly, the species has gone extinct in much of its range. Today, the black rhino is only found as far north as Kenya. The black rhino is grey in colour and has two horns.
Poaching wiped out 96% of the black rhino population between 1970 and 1990. It still poses a major threat to these animals. Habitat loss and climate change are also issues for this species.
2. Gorillas
The two gorilla species, the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), are both critically endangered. Found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda, the eastern gorilla has an estimated population of 2,600. One of its two subspecies, the mountain gorilla, has only 600 individuals remaining.
The western gorilla, found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria, has a decreasing population. One subspecies of the western gorilla, the Cross River gorilla, has only 100-250 individuals remaining. Population numbers for the other subspecies, the western lowland gorilla, are unknown, but it is also critically endangered.
Threats to gorillas include habitat loss, disease spread from humans, and hunting for bushmeat.