quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/f...-three-black-rhinos-


Namibia opens bidding process for three black rhinos

Monday 6 June 2016 12:21
ANA

The offer comes a year after the outrage generated by the May 2015 killing of a male black rhino by a controversial American trophy hunter.

The Namibian government has invited trophy hunters to make cash offers to shoot down three black rhinos in the 2016 hunting season.

The hunting season started on at the beginning of February and will run though to 30 November 2016.

The offer comes a year after outrage was generated by the May 2015 killing of a male black rhino by controversial American trophy hunter Cory Knowlton, who paid US$350,000 (more than R5 million), to put down the animal despite spirited opposition from across the globe.

In an advert in Namibia's national media, placed earlier this month by the country's Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the offers were opened to all companies registered with the Namibian Tourism Board. They will be limited to one rhino each.

In addition, the advert offered a 20 percent discount in hunting fees to all companies that are at least 20 percent owned by people classified as "previously disadvantaged" locals.

A 10 percent discount was also offered to companies that are owned by previously disadvantaged Namibians who have attained the "professional hunter" level.

Namibian Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta said all offers should be made in Namibian dollars although the winners would be allowed to partner with foreign clients in the hunt as long as they are registered with Namibian operators.

The advert said the bidding process would close at 1PM at the end of this month while those who would like to witness the adjudication process were given up to 15 June to make written expressions of interest to the relevant ministry.

Shifeta said the government would continue to ignore global calls for an end to the trophy hunting of rhinos, which are a critically endangered species, because ending the practice would harm local conservation initiatives.

Early this year, the Namibian government ordered all government officials and minister to use all platforms to oppose calls for an end to the trophy hunting of rhinos.

Shifeta said all proceeds from the hunting business would be re-invested in the conservation of the country's depleted rhino population.