NEW estimates of rhino numbers in the wild suggest that their populations are higher than they have been since the early to mid-1980s. The African rhino specialist group of the World Conservation Union said today there are just over 13 000 wild rhino in Africa, up from 1992’s estimate of as few as 8 300. The increase, say the group, is a consequence of rapid growth in the numbers of white rhino, of which 94% are in South Africa. Black rhino have increased at a more modest rate, to about 2 700 from 2 450 in 1992. A total of 234 black rhino are in captivity. However, conservationists say the threats to Africa’s rhinos remain very real. A concern mentioned by the group is that several significant rhino populations in Zimbabwe are on land occupied by self-styled war veterans.