Babesiosis is a potentially fatal disease in black rhinoceroses. Blood specimens collected from black rhinoceroses from Etosha National Park (n529) and Damaraland (n522), Namibia, were subjected to polymerase chain reaction using Theileria and Babesia genusspecific primers and reverse line blot, with negative results. The animals were sparsely infested with ticks. In the absence of suitable prophylactic measures, naive rhinoceroses would be at risk if translocated to Babesia-endemic areas. Keywords: Babesia, babesiosis, black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis, Namibia, prophylaxis, Theileria.