This requires good monitoring, and many rhinos have had their ears notched to make it easier for conservationists and game scouts to recognise individuals. In South Africa black rhinos can now be bought on auction if suitable habitat is provided and the property has a carrying capacity of at least ten animals. By contrast, animals on private land in Kenya, Zimbabwe and to some extent Namibia and Swaziland remain the property of the state and are looked after and managed for the state on a custodianship basis. Black rhino conservation is not cheap, and there is a strong correlation between expenditure and success. Unfortunately African conservation departments have for a number of years faced declining budgets in real terms, which poses a potential threat to the quality of conservation on state land in the long term unless alternative ways can be found to generate additional revenue.
Most black rhino occur in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Occurs from southern Tanzania down through Zimbabwe to northern and eastern south Africa where most of its numbers are. Only a few remain in Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia. Small numbers also re-introduced to Swaziland and Malawi. Only a few remain scattered through parts of Cameroon. Numbers continue to decrease.