Auction>> Rhino Hunt • US/Namibia
Apermit to hunt and kill an endangered black rhino in Namibia has been sold at a US auction for $350,000. The Dallas Safari Club in Texas, which organised the auction, says the hunt will help protect the species by removing an old, aggressive rhino and funding future conservation. However, the auction has been fiercely criticised by conservationists and has even drawn death threats.
Namibia is home to about a third of the world’s 5,000 black rhinos, and issues just three hunting permits a year. The winning bidder, who has not been named, will hunt an old, non-breeding male rhino. The auction organisers say such animals actually pose a threat to younger rhinos, which they sometimes charge at and kill.
All proceeds will be donated to the Namibian government and will be earmarked for conservation efforts, safari club officials said. Animal rights groups described the hunt’s conservation claim as “perverse” and “a sad joke”.
More than 80,000 people have signed online petitions against the auction.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.