Threats to the Species

Ranger holding confiscated rhino horn.
image /caption via worldwildlife.org

Horns are very valuable in the black market so park rangers must confiscate any parts of the animal that is found, like rhino horns, when confronting or arresting poachers to prevent further illegal trade. In 2012, the estimated price of a rhino horn was between $10,000 - $60,000 USD per kilogram (13). Due to its high demand, illegal poaching of rhinos will not end by itself. This is why immediate action, protection, and strict penalizations are needed.

Illegal Horn Trade

Despite the fact that international trade of rhino horn has been banned since 1977 under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), there remains to be a high demand and intensifies poaching in both Africa and Asia. There we at least 80 rhinos killed in during the first two months of 2012 in South Africa (12). There have already been at least 57 rhinos killed by poachers in the first 31 days of 2013 and 128 rhinos killed in the first 58 days of 2013 (8). That is almost double the rate of 2012's first two months.  Humans have single-handedly decimated rhino species and have pushed them to the brink of extinction. The majestic species are facing a grim fate all due to human greed.

South Africa: center of the global rhino crisis;128 rhinos massacred in the first 58 days of 2013

image/caption via rhinoconservation.org

 Game scouts found this black rhino wandering Zimbabwe's Savé Valley Conservancy after poachers shot it several times and hacked off both horns. Sadly, veterinarians had to euthanize the animal because its shattered shoulder couldn't support its weight. In the past six years poachers have killed more than a thousand African rhinos for their horns. The horns are smuggled to Asia for use in traditional medicines.
image/caption via ngm.nationalgeographic.com 

"A white rhino cow (left) grazes with a bull that has become her companion after a poaching attack in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Using a helicopter, a gang tracked her and her four-week-old calf, shot her with a tranquilizer dart, and cut off her horns with a chain saw. Rangers found her a week later, searching for her calf, which had died, probably of starvation and dehydration."
via ngm.nationalgeographic.com (white rhino)

Habitat Loss

A major threat to the species is habitat loss. In Sumatra, the Bukit Barian Selatan National Park is believed to have one of the largest populations of Sumatran rhinos. Unfortunately, it is losing its forest cover due illegal settlers converting the land for coffee and rice.  Privately owned conservatories have been invaded by nomadic, landless people in Zimbabwe. This all results in significant decreases in the amount of safe habitat for rhino populations and increases risk of poaching.

via theepochtimes.com

Loss of Diversity & Health

The decline of the rhino populations has already resulted in the extinction of rhino species and subspecies. In addition to the rhino's decreasing numbers, we are seeing a loss of genetic diversity. The Javan rhino population's small size is concerning. The species is at risk of the effects of inbreeding and genetic drift. Genetic drift is the random changes in allele frequency and levels of genetic diversity due to finite number of individuals passing on genes to the next generation (11). Very small populations are susceptible to inbreeding. Inbreeding leads to loss of variability within the species and may lead to inbreeding depression where there is a significant reduction in fitness due to increased homozygosity (11). This is because when mating occurs between related individuals, the likelihood of inheriting identical alleles significantly increases, which results in loss of alleles and genetic diversity because unrelated individuals and their unique alleles are not introduced into the population (11). Loss of genetic diversity could make it difficult for the species to remain viable and make it nearly impossible for the population to adapt to any environmental changes. Four Javan rhinos that includes a female are believed to have died from disease that may have transmitted to wild cattle in the park and consequently to the rhinos. This highlights the effects of loss of diversity within the species with very low populations. Small populations can easily contract and spread disease among individuals. Disease can spread quickly in small populations and due to little genetic diversity, they may not be able to adequately adapt to such quick changes in health. 

Possible Natural Disasters

The Ujung Kulon National Park homes the Javan rhinos and is highly vulnerable to tsunamis and a major volcanic eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano that could easily destroy animals in the protect area. This would result in the loss of the entire Javan rhino species.

Information provided by World Wildlife Fund (7).