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Hunter pays $350,000 to shoot black rhino: 'I believe in survival of species'

I am not opposed to the culling of animals if it is necessary, although I am an animal-lover at heart. For instance, as much as I would hate to think of deer being shot, it would be better than to see them starve to death.

My only question in this instance is, if this rino was so old and useless, how was he able to run off all the other males? Wouldn't they get stronger and he weaker till the old rino was overpowered? Just a question.
 
The rhino was apparently an old rhino that no longer bred but was chasing off other potential male mates. I understand the reasoning, but I feel like they should have just moved it instead of killing it. The hunting of these animals should not be encouraged under any circumstances. Efforts to save endangered species should be getting enough funding without relying on hunters willing to pay top dollar to kill these animals.

Hunter pays £225,000 to shoot black rhino: 'I believe in survival of species' | Environment | The Guardian

A US hunter who paid $350,000 (£225,000) to kill a black rhino in Namibia has successfully shot the animal, saying his actions would help protect the critically endangered species. Corey Knowlton, from Texas, downed the rhino with a high-powered rifle after a three-day hunt through the bush with government officials on hand to ensure he killed the correct animal. Knowlton, 36, won the right to shoot the rhino at an auction – attracting criticism, and even death threats, from conservationists. He took a CNN camera crew on the hunt to try to show why he believed the killing was justified. “The whole world knows about this hunt and I think it’s extremely important that people know it’s going down the right way, in the most scientific way that it can possibly happen,” Knowlton told CNN. “People have a problem just with the fact that I like to hunt … I want to see the black rhino as abundant as it can be. I believe in the survival of the species.” Since 2012, Namibia has sold five licences a year to kill individual rhinos, saying the money is essential to fund conservation projects and anti-poaching protection.
Seems like an excellent way to raise funds and a form of good conservation.

I really don't see the problem.
 
I am not opposed to the culling of animals if it is necessary, although I am an animal-lover at heart. For instance, as much as I would hate to think of deer being shot, it would be better than to see them starve to death.

My only question in this instance is, if this rino was so old and useless, how was he able to run off all the other males? Wouldn't they get stronger and he weaker till the old rino was overpowered? Just a question.
The ability to run off other males is not related to the ability to breed. They may lose potency before they become weak.
 
The ability to run off other males is not related to the ability to breed. They may lose potency before they become weak.

It is directly related to the ability to breed. That is why they killed it. The young ones arent strong enough EVEN though they have a mating desire. They just significantly lowered this generations entry level for right to breed. Now its going to be a bunch of novices getting lucky instead of the grand daddy rhino teaching them all. Causing a more docile generation.
 
Personally I feel anything manly or impressive about hunting has gone away in an era of scoped rifles, satellite phones, GPS, and aircraft.
 
It is directly related to the ability to breed. That is why they killed it. The young ones arent strong enough EVEN though they have a mating desire. They just significantly lowered this generations entry level for right to breed. Now its going to be a bunch of novices getting lucky instead of the grand daddy rhino teaching them all. Causing a more docile generation.
You know thus to be the case?
 
As an avid sportsman myself, I approve of this harvest.

that it upsets those who don't like hunting or the rich or rich hunters is an added bonus
 
It is directly related to the ability to breed. That is why they killed it. The young ones arent strong enough EVEN though they have a mating desire. They just significantly lowered this generations entry level for right to breed. Now its going to be a bunch of novices getting lucky instead of the grand daddy rhino teaching them all. Causing a more docile generation.

this sounds like new age psychobabble to me
 
that it upsets those who don't like hunting or the rich or rich hunters is an added bonus

I think every cities meat supply should be provided by hunting if possible. But paying for the right to hunt a struggling species is wrong no matter what. even if its for money and supposedly going back to helping the species. Thats like saying "If we make a youtube video of us shooting a cannon ball at a chicken we will donate 100,000$ to help stop chicken abuse"
 
I think every cities meat supply should be provided by hunting if possible. But paying for the right to hunt a struggling species is wrong no matter what. even if its for money and supposedly going back to helping the species. Thats like saying "If we make a youtube video of us shooting a cannon ball at a chicken we will donate 100,000$ to help stop chicken abuse"

I reject your concept of "wrong"
 
I reject your concept of "wrong"

I dont expect anyone to have empathy because humans are ****ed up. Instead of letting the eldery eventually get beat to where he finally gives up, raising the total gumption of that group they subjected it to vicarious human efficiency and psuedo-bravado trumped with a effigy of humanitarianism.
 
I dont expect anyone to have empathy because humans are ****ed up. Instead of letting the eldery eventually get beat to where he finally gives up, raising the total gumption of that group they subjected it to vicarious human efficiency and psuedo-bravado trumped with a effigy of humanitarianism.

On my list of things to worry about, a guy complying with the hunting laws of some country that include him paying an astronomical amount of jack to hunt an animal, this rates about number 763 on my list, right above the social impact of gnats being squashed on the grills and windshields of millions of cars this Memorial Day weekend
 
To me, it looks as if this guy paid $350k because he could, and went out and shot a rhino because he could pay to shoot one. I would equate this to the guy that goes and buys a $500k car, drives it to a club, pays $100 a bottle for wine and a VIP room just to show off how awesome he is. And then you have all these useful idiots that come out of the woodwork and confirm the latter. Then we wonder why we have so many pompus pricks walking around with wads of cash hanging out of their pockets.
 
To me, it looks as if this guy paid $350k because he could, and went out and shot a rhino because he could pay to shoot one. I would equate this to the guy that goes and buys a $500k car, drives it to a club, pays $100 a bottle for wine and a VIP room just to show off how awesome he is. And then you have all these useful idiots that come out of the woodwork and confirm the latter. Then we wonder why we have so many pompus pricks walking around with wads of cash hanging out of their pockets.
Nope, I don't wonder, I don't really care. They earned their money they can do what they wish with it.
 
Nope, I don't wonder, I don't really care. They earned their money they can do what they wish with it.

I agree. If you have money, and the market is such that you have to pay that amount of money to have the rights to bag a rhino, then so be it. It still does not keep me from the opinion that someone who would pay this much money to bag a rhino is not a pompus ass. Do you know how much food $350k can provide for an impoverished community? This was no more then a "look at me" stunt. I would feel like a complete ass if I were the person that was highlighted in this story.
 
To me, it looks as if this guy paid $350k because he could, and went out and shot a rhino because he could pay to shoot one. I would equate this to the guy that goes and buys a $500k car, drives it to a club, pays $100 a bottle for wine and a VIP room just to show off how awesome he is. And then you have all these useful idiots that come out of the woodwork and confirm the latter. Then we wonder why we have so many pompus pricks walking around with wads of cash hanging out of their pockets.

Liberals should love it-its income redistribution at its finest. 350K to some third world nation
 
Liberals should love it-its income redistribution at its finest. 350K to some third world nation

Well, if you really want to redistribute income, you could advertise 13 year old girls virginity for less money and make a huge profit.
 
I agree. If you have money, and the market is such that you have to pay that amount of money to have the rights to bag a rhino, then so be it. It still does not keep me from the opinion that someone who would pay this much money to bag a rhino is not a pompus ass.
I didn't imply that it did.
 
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