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Only a merciful BULLET can really save a RHINO, say Texas hunters

Endangered species hunt will encourage les autres

A US Safari Club has been offered a permit to shoot an endangered black rhinoceros to help save the rest of the species.

Rhinoceros in late afternoon, Kruger National Park. Credit: Shutterstock

One Allan Quatermain type will get the chance to track and kill the beast after stumping up what’s expected to be a hefty price at auction for the permit. The proceeds of the auction will then go towards the conservation of the species, the Dallas Safari Club said.

The sacrificial rhino isn’t just giving its life to aid its fellow ungulates, however. Apparently, the rhino that’s been singled out to pay the ultimate price is an aggressive sort and removing him from within the Mangetti National Park in Namibia will help the rest of the population grow.

Black rhinos generally tend to fight to the death, with around half the males and 30 per cent of the females dying from combat-related injuries. Getting rid of murderously aggressive bulls can help with higher survival rates for the population as a whole.

The auction, which is expected to net an “unprecedented sale price”, will be held at the Dallas Safari Club’s annual convention in January.

“This fundraiser is the first of its kind for an endangered species and it’s going to generate a sum of money large enough to be enormously meaningful in Namibia’s fight to ensure the future of its black rhino populations,” said DSC executive director Ben Carter.

Carter has speculated to local media that the auction could bring in between $250,000 and $1m.

The winning bidder will be allowed to hire a guide to lead the hunt and will head into the park with Namibian wildlife officials. ®

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