Black Rhino Hunting Permit Auctioned for $350,000

[TexasTowelie]

A permit to hunt an endangered African black rhino sold Saturday night for $350,000 at a Dallas auction held to raise money for conservation efforts but criticized by wildlife advocates.

Steve Wagner, a spokesman for the Dallas Safari Club, which sponsored the closed-door event, confirmed the sale of the permit for a hunt in the African nation of Namibia. He declined to name the buyer.

Ben Carter, executive director of the Safari Club, has defended the auction. He said all money raised will go toward protecting the species. He also said the rhino that the winner will be allowed to hunt is old, male and nonbreeding -- and that the animal was likely to be targeted for removal anyway because it was becoming aggressive and threatening other wildlife.

But the auction drew howls from critics, including wildlife and animal rights groups, and the FBI earlier this week said it was investigating death threats against members of the club.

More at http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Black-Rhino-Hunting-Permit-Auctioned-for-350000-239784481.html .

[Lint Head]

1. Must be a really big COWARD to want to kill an old

animal that is usless. Why do rich pricks tend to be cowardly? Does money have that much power?

[JJChambers]

3. It's for a good cause

They're managing the recovery of the species by hand picking individual animal for removal based on the minimal impact it's death will have on the species. This rich anonymous hunter should be praised, as his or her money will be going to a great cause.

This type of conservation through well-managed hunting, while undesirable to some, has proven to be exceptionally effective.

[Fla_Democrat]

4. This rich anonymous hunter should be praised

Yeah, that's never gonna happen here.

[Lint Head]

5. Why kill it. Just give the cause your money. Rhino. Nice trophy for a rich coward.

Give the animal to a preserve. It could be separated just as easily as it could be slaughtered by a coward with a gun.

[pipoman]

6. Because none of the

People howling the loudest would ever put their money where their mouth is...they could have purchased the permit, but alas. ..

[Tanuki]

8. What's next? Auctioning off the rights to pull the switch at executions?

I guess if the state said the money would go to conservation or education, you would make the case that the anonymous high bidder should be "praised"?

[pipoman]

13. If this wasn't sold

Conservation officers would have likely shot the animal and paid for the disposal. As it is someone with more money than brains is paying $350k, plus probably that much more for the trip, mounting, guides, etc. It is win/win.

Notice how none of the outraged stepped up to buy the permit? They could have and paid to care for the 1.5 ton animal for its remaining days. ..but, of course...

[magical thyme]

18. why don't we instead auction off a license to kill an old, useless 1%er instead?

that would seem a better cause to me.

[Tanuki]

9. Yep, exactly. This is the sort of thing that appeals to the likes of

Dick Cheney

http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/morford/article/Dick-Cheney-Kills-Birds-Dead-The-manly-veep-has-2808606.php

and Ted Nugent

http://thewinegodrants.blogspot.com/2012/05/canned-huntsorted-nugent-is-gigantic.html

[Lint Head]

30. Shoot something dammit! I got billions and I want to kill something!

Ain't nothing better than snuffing the life out of something and looking at those dead eyes. Whooo Hoo! What fun and pure killing joy money can buy! After that I can hardly wait for a chance to kill something else.

[flvegan]

2. "Old, male and nonbreeding" and targeted for removal.

Got it. Wagner, Carter, et al being former men, now cowards. Defend it all you will. No death threats, they aren't worth it. They call it gristle for a reason.

Yup, gristle. Dare you, fuckwits.

[avebury]

10. Why not auction off the right to shoot criminals on

death row then under the argument of saving taxpayer money and developing a new revenue stream for death penalty states?

"Old, male and nonbreeding." First you kill off the old nonbreeding animals, will old nonbreeding humans be next?

[pipoman]

11. Because humans aren't the same as wildlife. .

I have no idea why people like to pretend like they are. .

[Donald Ian Rankin]

14. And yet I don't see you committing suicide, which is the logical extension of that philosophy...

[avebury]

15. Humans should be good stewards of the

planet, not working hard to destroy it, including other life forms. Humans may consider themselves the superior life form on this planet, but that is hardly true given the lengths that we go to to destroy it. We have a higher opinion of ourselves then is deserved. You don't see any other lifeforms out there as destructive as humans. Just because humans have the ability to destroy other life forms does not mean that they are morally correct.

[pipoman]

16. lik it or not

Humans are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Conservation of wildlife costs money. Those most opposed don't foot the bill.

[avebury]

19. The foreseeable future may not be as long

as humans think it is. Using the excuse of money and cost is extremely short sighted when considering the long game. It is no skin off of my back as I will have no descendents to deal with the repercussion of the decisions and behavior of the human race. But I am smart enough to realize that things will not get better over time unless humans start to make better decisions. Planet earth will have the last laugh because the human race will reach a point where it will be on the losing end. The 1%ers will realize that hoarding so much of the wealth will not help them when the planet becomes uninhabbitable.

[pipoman]

21. Nice dream there. .

Til then we should just squander opportunity to fund necessary programs.

[avebury]

23. I don't buy that argument

because way to many people in Federal, State, and Local government don't want to fund necessary programs (or at the least they want to seriously reduce such funding). We have an overly bloated military budget. If we took a practical approach to what we really need to spend on the military then that would free up spending for other things. If you remember, a lot of what drove the USSR into financial ruin was the fact that they just could not keep pace with us on military spending. We are becoming what the USSR was in the past, too much money spend on "National Security" while diminishing the civil and constitutional rights of our citizens.

Being good stewards of the planet should be part of the mission of all of mankind, not just the US.

[pipoman]

29. I don't really disagree

With the first part...just don't see how it helps the problem at hand. .good stewardship isn't threatened by effective wildlife management. My state's wildlife and parks department is the only state agency which is 100% self supporting. We have many nice state parks, and an abundant, healthy wildlife population because of the funding from fishing and hunting licenses, and park permits. Further many local economies are dependent on the revenue from hunting and fishing. Wildlife populations have never been healthier.

If you are using electricity, driving a car, buying groceries, commuting you are part of the problem you are describing imo..

[Egalitarian Thug]

45. I have no idea why people pretend that they are not just another animal. /nt

[pipoman]

7. They just were paid $350k

For something that would have cost money to accomplish.

In the US by far the most money raised for wildlife conservation is from the sale of hunting/fishing permits and stamps.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

17. Fine in itself, but possible the start of a dangerous slippery slope.

In this very specific reason, yes, letting someone shoot a rhino for pleasure sounds entirely justifiable - if they were going to kill the rhino anyhow for conservation reasons anyhow, using the opportunity to fund their efforts sounds acceptable.

But "no shooting rhinos for pleasure or profit; if a rhino needs to be shot then get a professional to do it" is probably an easier line to enforce than "no shooting rhinos for pleasure or profit except in this list of circumstances where it is justifiable", because of the risk the list may grow to include less justifiable circumstances than this one.

[pipoman]

20. African safari hunts

Are almost always permits sold by impoverished countries to fund conservation. Those most enraged just don't understand the challenges of wildlife conservation.

[Tanuki]

22. You are quite naive if you think that the all proceeds of this

will go to legitimate conservation.
http://corruptionwatchnamibia.org/index.php/2-uncategorised/22-theriko-tweya-in-secret-land-deals
..."Alarm bells have gone off in conservation circles over the hunting activities of a South African-owned safari outfit, Thormahlen and Cochran Safaris, which is co-owned by Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Tjeriko Tweya via a front company that also is a shareholder in a commercial farm in north-western Namibia, close to highly sensitive rhino conservation areas.

The junior Trade and Industry Minister was recently in the news for illegally fencing off nearly 3 000 hectares of prime land within a conservancy in the Divundu communal area."....

http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/07/26/challenging-death-on-the-beaches-of-namibia-1268

..."his was my first visit to the Cape fur seal colony in Namibia where the international seal skin trader, Hatem Yavuz, an Australian resident and Turkish citizen, operates what is now the largest slaughter of seals on the planet, killing more than 90,000 seals each year.

It was a wonderful experience to be amongst so many pinnipeds and in the largest seal rookery that I have ever seen. The seal pups were adorable, and the social inter-relationships between the mother seals and their pups was fascinating. But, watching the baby seals playfully frolicking with each other while I knew they would be viciously clubbed within days was heartbreaking. The Namibian tourist industry knows this too, as Cape Cross is not only a seal reserve, it is ironically one of the major tourist attractions in Namibia and brings in far more revenue to the coastal communities than the seal slaughter.

However, the problem remains that this is not primarily a tourist destination, but instead the site of mass slaughter. The seal clubbers smash the skulls of pups in the early morning hours, and immediately after they finish the gruesome work, a bulldozer drives onto the beach and covers the freshly bloodied sand. Only then, with the truth literally and figuratively buried in the sand, are the tourists allowed into the reserve to observe the ‘beautiful and peaceful spectacle of the Cape fur seals in their natural habitat.’

So why does this go on? Because people like Hatem Yavuz manage to keep sealing concessions in Namibia through bribes to government officials and police. This entire hunt is illegal and survives only because of blatant corruption involving Namibian politicians, bureaucrats, police, and now, the military."....

[pipoman]

24. without there would be no proceeds going to

Conservation in many of these countries, nor any incentive to conserve.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

28. There is no incentive to conserve.

You're increasing the scarcity and putting a price on a living thing. Shit like this doesn't help, quit spreading lies for rich people.

[pipoman]

31. The tourism created by hunting

Is a huge reason many of these countries do manage their wildlife. Most who are so outraged don't spend a dime. .just like to complain. .

[ForgoTheConsequence]

33. Care to back that up with facts?

Most who complain don't have half a million to spend on killing endangered species.


Tourism brings in more money and employs more people than hunting.




You're spreading lies for rich people.

[ProgressSaves]

25. People that can buy this kind of thing are not taxed enough. nt

[Rex]

26. Did they have a seperate action for who got to spit on the old boy

after he was dead? And of course I mean right after, while the body is still steaming hot. How about a raffle for who gets to bathe in his blood? Got to love humanity.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

27. Hunting for conservation is a scam.

And it's sad to see people here defending rich assholes. If they really gave a shit they would donate that money without wanting to kill it. I don't have a problem with hunting but I do have a problem with rich westerners buying off corrupt African governments for special privileges.

http://blog.africageographic.com/africa-geographic-blog/hunting/black-rhino-hunt-auction-wont-help-conservation/

[pipoman]

32. seems you could have purchased it

and paid to ship it to your back yard. .or perhaps paid someone there to keep it alive for you.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

34. So everything should be bought and sold?

I think you're on the wrong site. There is a site for people that defend the perversions of rich people, new colonialism, etc..... Should I direct you? Or are you going to keep with the verbal diarrhea and lies from right wing trophy hunting lobbies?

[pipoman]

37. I am all for

Poor countries doing what they need to do to manage their wildlife.

Colonialism. .lol..better look that one up..As for the rest of your excuses for not sending your money, and pretending you are so liberal you begrudge a foreign government the ability to manage it's own affairs. ..colonialism it is..

[ForgoTheConsequence]

38. I know damn well what colonialism is.

I also know you're bending over backwards to defend rich republicans. Why do you post here?

[pipoman]

41. i understand that the most outspoken

Animal rights advocates don't spend a dime of their own money for wildlife conservation, and hunters/fishers in the US provide the vast majority of the money for state wildlife conservation.

Oh and people who try to define DU with the "you better think just like me or you're not a Democrat" mantra are usually irrelevant to liberalism and democracy.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

43. I'm not an "animal rights advocate".

I just don't buy into right wing talking points spread by republican "conservationists", and I will always call out their bullshit and the bullshit artists who spread their lies for them.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

35. Dallas Safari Club has donated thousands to Republicans.

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?strID=C00356477&cycle=2010


2014 - 1000

2012 - 13,500

2010 - 4,000

2008 - 9,600

2004 - 1,000

2002 - 5,500

2000 - 2,500



All to republicans, not a dime to democrats..... Coincidence......?


And yet here we are on a liberal forum with someone who seemingly only posts about hunting and guns defending them.........

[pipoman]

39. And who would that be? eh?

Maybe you should prove your silly lies eh?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

40. I did prove it.

With the link posted above. If you would have taken one minute to click instead of throwing a fit about your precious republican organization being attacked you would have seen that.

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00356477&cycle=2008

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00356477&cycle=2008

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00356477&cycle=2008

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00356477&cycle=2008

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00356477&cycle=2008




Now you can no longer claim ignorance.

[pipoman]

42. Not one of those links prove the lie I am speaking of. .

[ForgoTheConsequence]

44. Your posting is proof enough.

But I'm not trying to convince you (cute that you think this is about you though)......

[pipoman]

46. so you admit your post was a "call out" then?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

47. Depends....

I'll admit to calling out republican lies and talking points, sure. I'll never apologize for doing so, no matter how many conservatives I offend.

[Blue Owl]

36. What price depravity

n/t

[Initech]

48. Stephen Colbert totally annihilated the Dallas Safari Club in a hilarious WØRD segment:

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/429950/october-24-2013/the-word---philantrophy

[phantom power]

49. Corey Knowlton's christmas card (2012):

Feel the christmas spirit and conservation love

[TexasTowelie]

50. While the hunting permit is vile, the death threats against Knowlton need to stop.

Texas hunter Corey Knowlton has said he has received death threats and has hired full-time security after being identified as the winner of an auction to shoot and kill an endangered black rhino in Namibia.

Knowlton paid $350,000 (£214,119) at the Dallas Safari Club sponsored auction for the licence but faced a storm of fierce criticism from animal rights campaigners and wildlife groups.

He was named by fellow hunter Tom Opre as the man who placed the winning bid earlier this week. He said his Facebook page has since been flooded with threats to hurt and kill him and his family.

He told KTVT that since then, he’s feared for his family’s safety. “They’re wanting to kill me,” he said. “They’re wanting to kill my children. They’re wanting to skin us alive.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/black-rhino-hunter-corey-knowlton-receives-death-threats-after-winning-licence-to-shoot-endangered-animal-9069138.html

[NickB79]

51. Best-case scenario: the Namibian govt. kills the rhino regardless

"the animal was likely to be targeted for removal anyway because it was becoming aggressive and threatening other wildlife."

So can someone PLEASE tell me how allowing a hunter to pay a HUGE sum of money to wildlife conservation in return for a rhino's head on his wall be any worse than the alternatives?

If the hunt is cancelled, the rhino is still dead, buried or burned on the plains by Namibian game wardens.