Based on the new data that the International Union for Conservation of Nature gathered, the population of critically endangered African black rhinos is increasing continuously. The IUCN’s report states that the total number of African black rhinos raised from 4,845 to 5,630 within six years (2012-2018). Acting director general of the IUCN Dr. Grethel Aguilar, however, warns that the rhinos are still unsafe from extinction. Nonetheless, the rhinos’ population increase shows that conservation is effective. The data serves as evidence that the black rhinos’ population will continue to increase in the next five years.

The southwestern black rhino population has been growing over the last three generations. However, the southeastern and eastern subspecies remain endangered due to population decline from the 1970s to the 1990s. The IUCN, however, assures that the countermeasures have helped in developing the situation. Dr. Richard Emslie, Red List authority coordinator for the IUCN, said that to maintain the progress, “continued expenditure and efforts will be necessary”.