Divided Views On Black Rhino Vote


The Namibian (Windhoek)

October 12, 2004
Posted to the web October 12, 2004

Absalom Shigwedha
Windhoek

THERE has been a mixed response to the decision by Cites to lift the global ban on hunting the black rhino.

Last week, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, decided to lift a ban on hunting the rare black rhino in Namibia and South Africa - a move some say is too early as the lumbering beast is still recovering from being close to extinction.


In terms of the decision, Namibia and South Africa will be able to trophy hunt five black rhinos every year.

Dave Joubert, the Vice Chairperson of the Wildlife Society of Namibia (WSN) said the harvesting of the black rhino should be allowed if it was sustainable, did not endanger the population in any way and if the proceeds were used to further the aims of conservation in Namibia.

Save The Rhino Trust, which protects the desert adapted black rhinos in western Namibia, declined to comment on the Cites decision.

Save the Rhino Trust Administration Officer, Michael Guiseb, said the organisation could not comment until the trust's management had met with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism on the matter next week.

Some animal rights groups, such as the London-based Born Free Foundation and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) have opposed the lifting of the ban.

They say it will encourage poaching of the black rhino.

The Wildlife Society argues that while some tourists visit Namibia for game viewing, a large proportion also come to hunt.

"Allowing five black rhino to be shot for trophies would not reduce the game viewing potential of Namibia, since the take-off is low," said Joubert.



Only old male black rhinos, which are no longer breeding, will be targeted.

Revenue generated from trophy hunting will be put into the Game Products Trust Fund to sponsor community conservancies.

Ten male rhino past breeding age at $100,000 each, would give one million dollars towards saving the species as a whole. How could it not be a sound idea?

First, as to the "animal rights groups," I couldn't care less what they think. No, I should say that I KNOW what they think and will say and KNOW they are stupid and wrong-headed about the subject and would almost blow my retirement fund on a black rhino hunt just to spite the bastards.

Second, having just said that, my rational mind would prevail and I wouldn't do it. It's too contrived, too controlled, to artificial. And too easy.

Hunting rhinos doesn't appeal to me. I need some sort of challenge. Hunting them basically amounts to finding them, and then is reduced to little more than short range target practice at a really big target. Finding one might be difficult, but on most ranches where they exist today, I doubt it. I wouldn't argue the merits with someone who wanted to do it. I just wouldn't join the club.

MR,

I have encountered both black and white rhino in the bush in Zim and Namibia. The white rhino and hunting it are described accurately.

However, the black seems to be a lot more fiesty and alert than the white. I would hunt one if I could arrange it.

jim

The five to be hunted in RSA are all old bulls that are past breeding age and have started attacking younger bulls. (KZN Wildlife have actually identified 9 in this catagory), and as Jim says, Black Rhino are a world of difference to the White............Believe me, it will be a hunt rather than a shoot.



As to price, I'd expect at least the first few to sell for closer to US$250,000 each than US$100,000.....and that sort of money can buy a lot of facilities and research for the Parks Boards.



Can't comment for the Namibian ones, except to say that I have no reason to doubt that things are much the same up there.

Terry,

Can F&WS refuse to issue an import licence if CITES have issued export & Import liciences?

Steve,

They do this sort of thing frequently, their opinion is they know more about everything than anybody else.

Folks like SCI have begun taking them to court ot force import of trophys.

jim