Rhino populations have dropped by an estimated 95% over the last two centuries, driven by human impact including poaching, illegal wildlife trade and habitat fragmentation.

Three of the five rhino species are critically endangered and there are predicted to be fewer than 80 Sumatran and Javan Rhinos left on the planet, which means they could be extinct in our lifetime.

The biggest threat rhinos face is poaching for their horn, which is used in some traditional medicines even though there’s no scientific proof of their efficacy (that they work!) Rhino horn is made of keratin – the same as our human hair and fingernails. The only animal with any use for these horns are the rhinos that grow them!

Taronga is a founding member of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF). Taronga actively supports conservation efforts for wild rhinos in Africa, Indonesia and India, providing funds and support with the International Rhino Foundation for anti-poaching and wildlife protection units, habitat protection and restoration, and expertise in veterinary care and reproduction to ensure all rhino species continue to survive in the wild.

Black Rhinos live in Africa, primarily in grasslands, savannahs and tropical bush lands.

Black Rhinos have a uniquely shaped, pointy (prehensile) upper lip to help them pull leaves off branches, bushes and shrubs.

Did you know? Taronga operates the world’s largest breeding program for Southern Black Rhino outside of mainland Africa.

Want to learn more? Watch our virtual keeper talk!

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is home to eight Southern Black Rhinos, including calf Matobo who was born in April 2023 – the 16th calf born since the conservation breeding program began.

The Greater One-horned Rhino is the biggest of the rhino species, and can weigh up to 3,000kg!

Want to learn more? Watch our virtual keeper talk! 

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is home to three Greater One-horned Rhinos, including calf Hari who turns two in October 2023, and already weighs over 1,100kg!

  White Rhinos love to get muddy! The mud protects their skin from getting sunburnt, and acts as an insect repellent.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is home to six White Rhinos, including calf Jabulani who was born in June 2023.

In 2016, Taronga launched its legacy for the future and for the wild, dedicating the next decade to the conservation of ten critical species, known as our Legacy Species, including the Sumatran Rhino.

The Sumatran Rhino is one of the rarest large mammals on Earth. Because of poaching, numbers have decreased more than 70% over the last 20 years, with the only viable population now in Indonesia.

Taronga is a founding member of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF). Our vets, pathologists, reproductive biologists and tourism staff are actively engaged in projects with the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary at Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra.

Taronga actively supports conservation efforts for wild rhinos in Africa, Indonesia and India, providing funds and support with the International Rhino Foundation for anti-poaching and wildlife protection units, habitat protection and restoration, and expertise in veterinary care and reproduction to ensure all rhino species continue to survive in the wild.

Taronga operates the world’s largest breeding program for Southern Black Rhino outside of mainland Africa.

This important conservation breeding programs is delivering new and exciting advancements in reproductive research, providing new hope for the future of this important megafauna.

Your support helps fund every part of our research, breeding and conservation for this important species. Every gift you make has a direct and tangible impact on the survival of the Black Rhino and other species.

Your generous gift today could help:

• With everyday upkeep and care of our Southern Black Rhino
• Fund medical equipment and supplies for important health checks and monitoring
• With scientific research into what the species need to breed, survive and thrive