Diceros bicornis michaeli

(Zukowsky, 1965)

Vernacular names
English : Eastern Black Rhinoceros
French : Rhinocéros noir oriental

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Rhinocerotidae
Notes : 3 other subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 380 cm, shoulder height of 170 cm, weight up to 1300 kg. Rectangular head with two long horns. Coloration usually dark gray to brown. Prehensile elongated upper lip. Prominent skin folds on flanks for this subspecies.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in east Africa, in Kenya, Rwanda and north Tanzania. Species found from Tanzania to Namibia, south to South Africa. Lives in wooded savannas, open forests (humid or dry) and semi-deserts.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : This species is declining because of poaching for its horns which are sold in Chinese markets. Legally protected. Subspecies longipes extinct.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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