Black Rhinoceros are considered to be an endangered species. This keen sense of smell is an important mechanism for defense and communication. Being able to smell danger at a distance allows time to plan escape. The rhino's hearing is also very good. Its ears are large and swivel to locate the direction of the sound.
Sight is the black rhino's weakest sense.
It is shortsighted. It can probably detect movement, but not detail beyond 100 feet, and detail between 30 -100 feet is limited. This shortsightedness may be the result of evolving as a forest dweller. Recent studies suggest that, in spite of its horns and large nose, rhinos do have binocular vision. The horn is not a true horn.