A hunting permit for a black rhinoceros in Namibia’s Mangetti National Park auctioned off this past weekend at the Dallas Convention center has sparked a huge debate between wildlife activists and hunters.
Celebrities and wildlife groups have spoken out about this hot debate including Bob Barker. Barker is known for his animal advocacy including spaying and neutering pets and has been outspoken against PA’s pigeon shoots. He donated $1,000,000 to SHARK to help win the war against pigeon shoots.
Black rhinos are one of the world’s most endangered species because of poachers.
The African nation of Namibia has had six rhino permit auctions, but Saturday’s was the first held overseas. Organizers said they were approached by Namibian officials in October and hoped to break the previous high bid of $223,000.
The Dallas Safari Club who sponsored this auction auctioned off the permit to winner, Courtney Knowlton, 35, of Texas for $350,000. Knowlton works for a company that organizes big-game hunts, His FB page is full of comments of those who oppose him and the hunt. Knowlton wrote on his fb page the following about the controversy surrounding his “win”:
“Thank you all for your comments about conservation and the current situation regarding the Black Rhino. I am considering all sides and concerns involved in this unique situation. Please don’t rush to judgment with emotionally driven criticism towards individuals on either sides of this issue. I deeply care about all of the inhabitants of this planet and I am looking forward to more educated discussion regarding the ongoing conservation effort for the Black Rhino.”
The Dallas Safari Club has also come under scrunity for their participation in this auction. Death threats against members of the group are being investigated by the FBI.
To me, threatening to kill one of these members is as much a contradiction as hunters claiming that killing a rhinoceros will help save the endangered species, in my opinion.
According to a statement on the club’s Facebook page, Namibian wildlife officials will accompany the hunter in Mangetti National Park “to ensure the correct type of animal is taken.” If the hunt is successful, the meat from the kill will feed a nearby community.
Officials have said there are two to three older male black rhinos that would be available for the “hunt.”
“Club officials wrote that all of the auction proceeds “go into a special fund used by the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism for anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection, research and other measures crucial for protecting populations of endangered black rhinos.”
Black rhinos are poached for their horns. They sell for $60,000 per kilogram. Its value has been stated between the worth of gold and cocaine. For a poor country in South Africa, that is alot of money.
How would killing one of the endangered species help the population. The following is an explanation to that question.
“Science shows that selective hunting helps rhino populations grow. Removing old, post-breeding bulls, which are territorial, aggressive and often kill younger, breeding bulls, cows and even calves, increases survival and productivity in a herd. With hunting as part of its conservation program, Namibia’s rhino population is growing as much as five percent annually.”
The auction and hunt are endorsed by three global wildlife authorities: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, IUCN (affiliated with the United Nations) and CITES (an international treaty to protect endangered species).
Namibia is authorized to issue a limited number of rhino-hunting permits each year, and has previously auctioned permits only within its own borders.
“Biologists in Namibia were hopeful that a U.S.-based auction would produce a record amount for rhino conservation, and that’s exactly what happened. We were honored to be asked to help and we’re pleased with the results,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “I’m proud of our organization for taking a stand to help ensure the future of an iconic species.”
To ensure the correct type of animal is taken, Namibian wildlife officials will accompany the hunter.
“Marcia Fargnoli, chief executive officer of the Save the Rhino Trust in Namibia, which works with the government to fight poachers, says the group has tried to convince the Namibian government to stop issuing these hunting permits.”
But a poor African country like Namibia — where the World Bank estimates the gross per capita income to be less than $6,000 — struggles to fund conservation efforts, Fargnoli says. It’s difficult for the government to ignore the chance to raise so much money so quickly.
“I really believe every rhino counts,” said Fargnoli. “It really is a dilemma. …But I really struggle to say I’m saving rhinos and then say that one can be hunted.”
What do you think? Do you think killing a black rhino will help to save the species’ population?
A “huge debate” would require a huge number of animal rights activists.
The animal rights activists have already been bombarding the man, the Safari Club and the media. There wold be no problem finding activists to debate thsi issue on both sides. Thanks!
Why doesn’t he donate the money? The species will be helped and no animal will have to be sacrificed.
This is downright stupid. Killing an innocent black rhino as a prize to help the very species which is endangered makes no sense! Give the $350,000 and don’t kill the animal. Let the animal live out its life since it’s old. Bizarre.
This is stupid!
I find nothing wrong with raffling off a hunt. It’s all on the up and up. The money is being used for conservation.What’s wrong with that?
Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!