Where is the line between mindless slaughter and good conservation? Is there one?
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Corey Knowlton is a trophy hunter from Royse City near Dallas, Texas. He’s currently one of the most polarising figures in social media. Recently he won an auction to pay $350,000 to gain a permit to hunt and kill one of the world’s rarest and most emblematic animals, the Black Rhino.
There are only around 4,200 of these magnificent animals left in the wild. This is down from a population which was in the hundreds of thousands in the nineteenth century. One sub-species, the West African black rhino, is already extinct. In recognition of this the black rhino is classified as being critically endangered by the IUCN.
The permit has been granted to the Dallas Safari Club by the Namibian Governments Wildlife Department and all the proceeds will go back into Rhino conservation. Corey argues that a non-breeding aggressive male will be targeted and that this will be of benefit to the other rhinos within that population.
On the surface this all seems simple and logical, one ‘surplus’ animal being sacrificed for the greater good of this species?
Or is it? Because on the other hand this is symbolic of the way that we in western cultures seek to commodify everything. To put a price on something that has a far greater value in the web of life.
This point can perhaps be illustrated by looking at Corey’s method of hunting; he has paid a large sum of money and will take a 4×4 out to a nature reserve and shoot dead an animal with a high-powered rifle from a distance. Finally, he will have his picture taken with the rhino; the scene carefully composed and sanitised to emphasize the dominance of man over the natural world.
“…a Super Slam of wild sheep and the big five in Africa.”
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This type of hunting reinforces the separation that so many of us feel from nature, that somehow it is other than us. This attitude is perfectly exemplified by his own description of hunting and the animals that he kills;
‘’I have hunted widely on 6 continents taking more than 120 species, including a Super Slam of wild sheep and the big five in Africa.’’
This sounds more like a description of a golf trophy cabinet than any form of respect between man and animal.
-Photo:paullew/Flickr
Compare this to another form of hunting. Not far from where this hunt is to take place you’ll find the Bushman, the original inhabitant of Southern Africa. How different then is their relationship to nature? For starters, though they are hunters they are intrinsically linked into the web of life. For them there is no separation.
“This is the deep way of the land.”
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Using no more than arrows and spears and a deep knowledge of the land, they will sometimes track an animal for three days, following its spoor through dense undergrowth and even over bare rock. When the animal is cornered it is quickly killed and the Bushmen sit with the dying animal waiting for its spirit to depart.
There are no high fives and shouts of elation. Just a deep respect for the animal that has died in order for their lives to continue. This respect is equally shown in the way that the animal is butchered. The meat is carefully cut and prepared. There is no waste; the sinews and tendons will become bindings for bows and spears and the hide will be prepared for clothing, bags and shelter. This is the deep way of the land.
-Photo:crippsy68/Flickr
Back in the United States this famous hunt has engendered fierce and polarised debate. On Corey’s Facebook page there have been threats made to his family’s life. There have been comments left wishing him to contract cancer and he’s been sent wishes that he is slowly killed or is to be hunted himself. Within the same thread, the pro-hunt, pro-NRA lobby have been equally vitriolic in expressing their opinion.
Corey is clearly no stranger to controversy but it is clear that the strength of response has taken him by surprise, so much so that he posted this message on his Facebook page:
“Thank you all for your comments about conservation and the current situation regarding the Black Rhino. I am considering all sides and concerns involved in this unique situation. Please don’t rush to judgment with emotionally driven criticism towards individuals on either sides of this issue. I deeply care about all of the inhabitants of this planet and I am looking forward to more educated discussion regarding the ongoing conservation effort for the Black Rhino.”
Is this a holding statement or a genuine pause for reflection?
When he has created similar controversies in the past, he has stood behind what is obviously a strong and fundamentalist Christian faith. In some ways this faith is driver of his relationship to animals as there is precedent aplenty in The Bible for man’s dominion over nature.
But what about the views of those who abhor what he is planning to do? Can these people be unequivocally right? Well, if their objection is solely about the killing of an animal, then to be able to take this moral stance they must surely feel that all killing is wrong. In which case how many of those posting comments are vegan? In this context which is worse: The killing of an elderly wild animal or the killing of a factory farmed animal that has never seen daylight?
“…to lower his rifle in the tradition of the true hunter.”
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So given this I accept that there are plenty of grey areas in this debate and whilst I for one do not condone or support trophy hunting or the killing of any animal for fun or for ‘sport’, neither do I support witch hunts. Corey’s actions are symbolic of our lack of respect and understanding of nature, no matter how much he and other ‘trophy’ hunters like to say to the contrary.
Perhaps in this case though he can use the publicity to generate some real support for the plight of one of the world’s rarest and most endangered animals, and as a show of respect and honour for this male rhino, he will lower his rifle in the tradition of the true hunter. This would be his best service to the conservation of this wonderful animal and perhaps the beginning of a new and deeper relationship to the animals with which he shares this planet.
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-Photo: greenglobaltravel/Flickr
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From a purely conservation and non-emotional point of view.
here is my take on it all from an Environmental Scientist
http://www.thenakedhunter.com/blog
Anyone know what kind of animal this is?
is this a nursing Dik-Dik?
Vikki – it is a male Dik Dik, please note the horns. There are hair tufts underneath that do indeed make it look like a female, as we discussed on another forum.
It is a male Dik Dik – you can see the horns. The hair tufts below do indeed make it look like a female. So as we discussed Vikki, I am pleased to say that there are no orphaned babies.
As a hunter, an environmentalist, and someone who feels on a personal, spiritual level our connection with nature, my opinion on this is mixed. Most everyone would agree that doing this as a bow-hunt would be more ethical, but the problem is, Black Rhinos are extremely dangerous and are aware of human presence far before a shot could get taken. So on a practical level, if this man didn’t want to leave his wife a widow, he shouldn’t hunt the Black Rhino with a bow. He should use the rifle. While it’s not sporting (not suicidal, in this case) to… Read more »
For example: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=655491237840984&set=a.140178532705593.25789.100001403428492&type=1&theater
Trophy hunting for me represents an interesting question into human motives. There is no instrumental value for the killer in trophy hunting. The animal is not being killed for meat, resources or to promote survival in our own species. In trophy hunting, the animal is killed for the challenge and enjoyment of killing. This is referred to as appetitic aggression and generally isn’t a wonderful thing to promote in a collaborative society. When I interview children querying whether or not they have mental health challenges that are interfering with their functioning, one of the rule out questions for anti-empathic behaviour… Read more »
Sean this would have been a good point for CW and or Rick to have answered, but they seem to have left the debate…..
I wonder how much of the trophy hunt, is actually a lack of self esteem in the hunter, a lack of self worth as opposed to actual sociopathic behaviour.
There is clearly a difference between hunting and tophy hunting. But it is also interesting to notre the bunker mentality of the hunters as a whole – many feel threatened by even the most gentle debate.
Some other things to consider: – Who are we to judge that killing a Black Rhino is any worse than killing a squirrel? Just because we have counted them we decide it is less wrong for one to die than the other? – How can we judge a man, or dare hope someone gets cancer, because he hunts? It is ingrained in us to hunt, just like it’s ingrained in us to innovate, hence the rifle he is using… I’m not going attack black bear with my hands and teeth! – I wonder what will happen to the Rhino that… Read more »
D, in absolute terms there is no difference. However in practical terms this particular species is threatened with extinction. So on the one hand western back conservation agencies preach the importance of species protection then on the other hand a westerner comes with a license to kill that same species – it send out mixed messages. In this particular case the killing of it will add nothing to our scientific understanding of this species or its captive breeding. If in extremis a male did need to be killed, it should be done with no publicity and certainly not through a… Read more »
There is a strong polarisation in this debate, but I am glad to see that the conversation is in the main mature and respectful.
This is not an article about hunting per se, but it relates to respect. Respect for each other and respect for the animals with which we share this planet.
We are free to do as we want, but at least let’s be honest in our primary motivations. I am yet to hear one of the hunters actaully say that they enjoy killing an animal. Why are you hiding?
I enjoy the thrill of the hunt, and any hunter is a liar if they tell you they don’t. But to say I enjoy killing is hard for me. Sometimes I do enjoy it, and that can be a little scary. I hunt Primarily because it is a good opportunity for me to get out and spend time with my brothers. Could we go bowling instead? Maybe. Neil, I can agree with you that there appears to be to much smoke and mirrors around this, but didn’t his guy ever say that he doesn’t like killing animals? I am sure… Read more »
Danny thank you for your candour, it is refreshing to her your views. This seems to be a big taboo area within the debate. I too have killed a large mammal and whilst the experience was not pleasant it had context and I understood the process of meat eating far more as a result. If anything my respect for animals deepened from that point onwards. However trophy killing – never! Yes I understand the time away with friends and brothers and yes we evolved to be hunters it’s in our DNA, but surely only when necessary and nver for the… Read more »
Cancer patients in any capacity are STRONG individuals among many other traits……this poor excuse for a human is none of the above. Sociopaths like him can never be fixed – they are just wired wrong from the get go. No amount of medication or therapy will ever make him right. This is NOT an excuse by any means just explaining that he is never going to gain a conscience or have a revelation that what he is doing is wrong. Karma just needs to step in and finish the job.
wait a minute… so sport hunters are sociopaths? what about sport hunters who are also cancer patients?
Do you even see the delicious irony in wishing death on a person because they kill animals? I hope you’re vegan… no leather for you… no vaccines… actually no cancer treatment either because they are tested on animals.
CW, Christy referred only to Corey in her answer not all hunters. You have already accused me of saying that 20 million americans are barbarians without any reason. Let’s just stick to the issues and not get into a bunker mentality – this is a good debate and I value your input.
“…this is symbolic of the way that we in western cultures seek to commodify everything. To put a price on something that has a far greater value in the web of life.” Well said.
In terms of wishing him ill, that energy isn’t something to pass around. It’s harm especially to the individual thinking it. Hate doesn’t change anything it just perpetuates much the same.
” western cultures seek to commodify everything”
Rhinos- all horned animals animals- are in jeopardy of extinction because of poaching to supply Asian Alternative Medicine, Westerners have Cialis, but remember these are impotence correcting formulae that are thousands of years old and predate germ theory and basic sanitation.
Bears and Tigers are under similar attack- especially in Asia.
Hunting ethics aside, I despair whenever I discourse devolve to the point of wishing harm upon others. It is a violence of the spirit to say such things. Even when the issue is something that hits me very close to home, like stories of pet animals being horribly abused or neglected, I cringe to see my fellow animal lovers saying they wish the same harm upon the human that the human rendered on the animal. As you say above, Neil, two wrongs don’t make a right. Wishing cancer upon someone, no matter how vile, is seriously bad karma.
Yes KKZ – the problem lies on both sides as they have both dug themselves in entenched positions of mutual antipathy. The article was almost called Do You Hate This Man More Than You Love Rhinos?
Paraphrasing the Dalai Lama and Buddhist wisdom, anger can be a useful emotion because it prompts us to act, but it sure doesn’t solve anything.
I think that disconnecting from our ecosystem has cost us. It has cost us perspective and compassion. And in the end if we are not careful, it will cost us the ultimate price: the erosion of our very own life support system. To kill for food or sustenance is a part of the natural world, the ecosystem that was created by forces well beyond us. To kill for the purpose of ego or trophy comes straight from our own insecurity. To me, there is a very clear difference.
Do all of you know that cultures like the San often found achievement (ego and trophy) in hunting beyond simple sustenance. Native Americans counted coup in both battle and hunting (killing the most/largest animals). You guys act like there is some amazing difference between the average American deerhunter and cultures like the San.
I challenge any of you to go talk to a hunter- ask them why they hunt instead of assuming. You know not of what you speak.
CW, I am afraid that you don’t know me – so please don’t assume or put words in my mouth. Nowhere have I said I don’t like hunters. In fact if you had read the article you will find one of its central themes is that I also do not support witch hunts and the vitriol that goes with it. I have known and do know many hunters and I tolerate a broad church of opinion/ In the mountain village where I live I am surrounded by hunters. In the past I have been out on hunting expeditions and have… Read more »
Actually you know nothing about American hunters and why they hunt. As a hunter of upland birds, an avid fisherman and hiker I can tell you for certainty that you’re wrong.
Here are a number of essays about why we hunt, the role of hunting in conservation, and many other relevant subjects- http://www.conservationforce.org/role.html
I doubt you’ll read any of it.
CW why would you doubt that?
Trophy hunters are trophy hunters wherever they are in the world……. there is little difference!
Mister CW, I am on your side here, but I think you are letting your emotions cloud the fact that neil is not condemning us as average american hunters. I am a hunter, and will be out hunting tomorrow, but that doesn’t make me and you like this trophy hunter. Neil is not talking against all hunting, but rather this and other similar hunts.
Exactly Danny, thank you.
CW, you have never spoken with a Bushman have you? Is this another one of your Google facts or a myth passed around the bars? The Bushman do not tropy hunt – they would never trophy hunt. They have too much respect for nature. Their culture simply does not allow for that to happen. Anything such as a horn or a bone that is made into an adornment is something that has come about as a result of hunting for food. There indeed is a world of difference between an American trophy hunter and a native hunter. One hides behind… Read more »
Yes Kwame,
That is an important distinction. The act of killing is also a function born out of fear for the natural world and a desire to control it. Many of the trophy hunters claim to love nature but in reality it is something they feel they need to conquer, hunting for food is a different ball park.
Most trophy hunters I know eat what they kill. I don’t know who you’ve been talking to but I suspect they don’t hunt.
Trophy hunters don’t eat lion, or rhino, or grizzly, or giraffe, or that sweet little thing that Corey is holding in the pic (which is obviously a mother). They want the head for their wall, nothing more. Rangers in Africa have routinely stated that locals don’t eat lion or elephant, but hunters always claim they “donate” the meat. What doesn’t get said, is that most of those unwanted bodies end up with illegal animal parts traffikers in south east Asia, especially lion skeletons.
Waya, thank you for your comment. Whilst both sides of this argument undoubtedly exaggerate their claims – this factoid of all trophy hunters eat what they kill is clearly a myth. Some may do, possibly Rick and CW do – I am sure they are honorable people – but most don’t. The fact is, and if they were only honest enough to admit it, they do not trophy hunt for conservation or to provide food, they do so to kill. The animals that they choose to kill are usually the big sexy ones. Many of the trophyt hunters stay in… Read more »
First and foremost I would argue that showing indignation, presumably triggered by compassion, by showing a total lack of compassion for Corey is, well, not compassionate. Second, I really marvel at the cognitive dissonance that reigns when non vegans jump up about an issue such as this. And yes, I mean vegans, because every glass of milk, every egg contributing to horrendous suffering, much greater than that the rhino will experience if Corey goes through with this. As for the bushmen I have to again agree with Neil, they have no choice, they have massive respect, they empathise with their… Read more »
Carlo, Interesting point. I think that you hit the nail on the head – there is smoke and mirrors by both sides in this debate.
Where do you stand on the actual hunting question?
This is a classic example of the commodification of everything we have on this earth and self-centerdness that is rampant in our society. Life itself is being commodified by Monsanto. I don´t think that this hunter enjoys the killing so much as he enjoys the thrill of being no.1 in that field of endeavor. All the beauty of creation is relevant to cost and our self-absorbing individualism justies all. Here in Canada our PM wants to export the world´s dirtiest oil by tanker through one of the most pristine and fragile ecosystems in the world via a strait that is… Read more »
Don, money and status are wrapped up big time with trophy hunting. Hunters will not hunt a small non-sexy animal, even if it has an endangered conservation status and is elderly or non-breeding. However if it is big and has horns or teeth, then that is a different matter. The trophy hunters are very selective in what they hunt and why. The welfare and conservation reasons are just there to distract that they want to be able to boast that they have killed a big strong animal – albeit with a gun from long range!
You don’t like hunters. You don’t know hunters yet you can speak to their innermost motivations…
See below – please don’t make assumptions….
Just read through the below. I see a lot of claims where you claim to know the basic motivations of hunters, but not a lot of evidence that you do.
And of course your claims about hunters are factually wrong.
Really Rick??
“Hunters will not hunt a small non-sexy animal, even if it has an endangered conservation status and is elderly or non-breeding. ” My hunter safety course involved a fair amount of extolling of the virtues of rabbits and squirrels. So your blanket claim is false. It’s not surprising. Attempting to psychologize your opponents is not only bad form; it’s also usually mistaken. I would add, further, that your complaining about what it’s like when a hunter kills with a gun and how cruel that is, and then admiring the virtues of the !Kung/San/Bushmen’s lifeways, suggests further to me that you… Read more »
Rick can you tell me what the “virtue’ is of killing rabbits and squirrels? Nowhere in this piece do I talk about the morals of hunting per se. The piece realtes to a) the mutual hatred shown on both sides of the fence and a lack of tolerance b) trophy hunting in relation to hunting for need c) connection to the animal that is being hunted d) the alternatives to killing this black rhino You really do not know me or my relationship to hunting but you make assumptions to suit your claims. I have studied with hunters from several… Read more »
Neil, I have read enough of your comments to get a good idea of what you are trying to say. As a hunter, I think I am like most of these others here who have argued with you, but I recognize that you are talking about trophy hunts. I can agree that this rhino hunt bugs me a bit, and I think you can agree that there is a good portion of hunters who respect the animals they kill. Unfortunately this is a very polarizing issue, and generally the average hunter who is not evil gets lumped together with the… Read more »
Danny, Yes I am talking about two issues really. One is trophy hunting and the other is the hatred of the trophy hunter. Whilst I do not agree with Coreys (and Rick and CW) main assertion that trophy hunting is the main conservation driver in the world and I question some of the motives behind this – I do not support witch hunts or hatred. There is a world of difference between what Corey does with a trophy hunt and someone hunting for food, particulalrly if those someones happen to be hunter gatherers. It is also not just about which… Read more »
for those who deny or don’t understand the link between hunting/fishing and conservation: 1. read up on pittman robertson act of 1937, how it created the single largest source of conservation funds in the world and who provides the dollars 2. read up on state license expenditures and where those dollars go. 3. read up on Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, and CCA 4. do the bare minimum of research on who funds African conservation Items 1-3 total well over 1B in annual expenditures The Audubon Society, the Sierra Club and WWF all partner with hunters & fishermen. They may not… Read more »
CW, Thank you for your comments. Can we first address the four points that I raised in my earlier reply, namely: 1. Tribal hunting is not a lifestyle option or a hobby but a matter of life and death 2. Rhinos are not as you assert threatened because of bushmeat but because of hunting (both ivory and trophy) 3. Because something works doesn’t make it right 4. I think that you are overstating the case regarding the overwhelming contribution that hunting makes to conservation. I have worked with many groups, pro hunt and pro conservation. In the UK The British… Read more »
1. The fact poisoned arrows are “culturally relevant” doesn’t make it hurt the animal any less. You are exhibiting a lack of knowledge here. No hunting method is foolproof but poisoned arrows are DESIGNED to wound and kill slowly- hence significant suffering which occurs 100% of the time. A hunting rifle (or a compound bow) are designed to affect immediate or quick death in proper usage- hence significantly less suffering. These are pretty much facts yet you keep debating them because sometimes a rifle hunter misses? Oh boy… 2. You cannot extrapolate a limited set of figures for the UK… Read more »
CW, neither can you speak for the whole world from the standpoint of the USA…… I was giving an example, which I think you will find holds true for many countries in the world. In your world view it would appear that you wish for nature to be conserved as an exclusive arena for hunters with rifles and powerful bows? Let me state again, that just because something brings in a lot of money does not make it right! There are many examples of barbaric socia; systems that ‘work’ but boy they are morally wrong. I’m afraid that the end… Read more »
You have no idea of American hunters and fishermen motivations especially mine. Who is assuming now?
At the end of the day- American hunters and fishermen are preserving more habitat, funding more studies, and saving more species than 10’000 “wilderness survival coaches” from the UK.
As I say CW, just because it seems to work doesn’t make it right. People once made money out of badger and bear baiting. Dogs were put into pits to fight each other. That brought in income and no doubt people had an interest in breeding more of them and also probably used similar arguments to yours. For one I am glad these barbaric acts are a part of history. We are evolving as a species and one by one they will drop away. Trophy hunting is an anachronism……
And the ends do not justify the means……
Did you just call over 20 million Americans barbaric? wow just wow.
er where did I say that exactly??
You refer to sport hunting as barbaric. over 20 million Americans are sport hunters. Your words- you own em.
CW, I did not, will you please show me where I said that?
Cut and paste and put it below and then I will own the words, if not please retract your comment.
You have also said I don’t like hunters again where have I said that?
CW ?? have you ducked out??
??????
CW – the debate misses you, where have you gone? Hopefully not back to Google 😉
To give you an idea of just how insignificant the UK figures are consider this- In the USA alone there are over 69 million acres of public land (state and federal) managed for hunting. Sources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The UK as a whole is smaller than that.
I hunt when I can, which is not often, and that comes as a mixed blessing. I hunt for food, which as has been already pointed out as a middle classed American I don’t NEED. There are plenty of arguments espoused, especially here in the South, for why hunting is beneficial. It helps curb the populations and protects agriculture, that sort of thing. But I don’t do it for any of those reasons. To be honest my reasons are purely selfish. By hunting I can obtain nutritionally superior food, with which I can supplement the factory farmed and nutritionally weak… Read more »
That should read: protection OR sustenance.
Dave, Thank you for your contributiion. I agree that there is a world of difference between hunting for food and hunting to collect trophies. To be able to feed yourself and family with safe and humane and healthy meat as opposed to being able to boast how many animals you have killed in various continents. One is that act of a real hunter and someone who is in tune with their environment, the other is a kind of blood thirsty stamp collection or train spotting. The respect you feel is probably in direct proportion to the respect you feel for… Read more »
I sincerely hope that anyone commenting and saying how inhumane hunting is doesn’t eat factory farmed meat. The author is completely right when he asks “… which is worse: The killing of an elderly wild animal or the killing of a factory farmed animal that has never seen daylight?” The killing of a factory farmed animal that has never seen daylight is much, much worse. However, I really take issue with the idea that hunting is symbolizes a lack of respect for nature. Factory farming TRULY symbolizes a lack of respect in so many ways. It’s insanely cruel for most… Read more »
Ann, Your comment reads like two wrongs make a right. My point is that neither have a place in civilised society. I am in this article talking specifically about trophy hunting and hunting for pleasure. The pleasure of killing an animal. I’m afraid that hunted wild animals suffer every day, it is a myth that every hunter kills an animal painlessly with one shot. I also think that it is smoke and mirrors to suggest that trophy hunters primary motivation is to act as some form of euthanasia service for the animal kingdom. I would feel more comfortable if you… Read more »
Neil, I have read your article with great interest and admiration as well as all of the comments and replies up to this point. For the most part I agree with you and all of those that advocate for the conservation of the species and this black rhino in particular. There is however a point that I am unclear about: Ann’s comment brings up the idea that “we are part of nature” which I think is something that you didn’t address in your response to the comment but is essential in examining the morality of this issue. Your article seems… Read more »
Neil, I have read your article with great interest and admiration as well as all of the comments and replies up to this point. For the most part I agree with you and all of those that advocate for the conservation of the species and this black rhino in particular. There is however a point that I am unclear about: Ann’s comment brings up the idea that “we are part of nature” which I think is something that you didn’t address in your response to the comment but is essential in examining the morality of this issue. Your article seems… Read more »
TB, Thank you for your comments. Yes I can see how my phrasing of those sentences could be confusing. My world view is that we are a part of nature. Inextricably linked to it. Yet for most people there is a perceptual separation from nature and that separation leads to many of the problems we see in todays society. Man is an animal and my observation is that animals will only seek to dominate other animals in the context of biological imperative and not for the sake of taking a trophy. In this case and most other similar cases nature… Read more »
No, I don’t hope he gets cancer.
But I do wish him to get shot at.
Not deadly, no. But painfully and life-threatening, just for a while.
Just to understand how it’s like being shot at.
Then he could go on hunting, if he wants. But I don’t think he’ll never call hunting “fun” anymore.
ValterV, I personally think that dialogue with Corey is much more productive than aggression. I have seen that where anger meet anger, there is an entrenchment of position and a bunker mentality develops.
Valter V,
Perhaps he needs to invite Dick Chaney to come along with him. Then he might get shot at for real. LOL!
Hey ValterV, perhaps you should actually meet some hunters. Or some combat vets. There’s a lot of overlap between the groups, and I can think of a number of friends of mine who are both.
I’ve been shot at- not in combat, but rather by a mentally ill and over zealous land owner. and I hunt.
Rick your point is what exactly?
I understand the animosity and knee jerk reaction of the anti hunting lobby. I am part of that group, I despise those who hunt for pleasure and demonstrate my support of the cause by being Vegan. However (big however). Were any of us anti hunting groups ready to provide the Namibian government the 350,000 dollars that was raised by this auction? There were two problems here that were met with a creative solution, a win/win situation. I would not want to enjoy a glass of wine with this gentleman, but they have raised funds for their cause and also exercise… Read more »
Samantha, The $350,000 is a tiny drop in the ocean compared to the billions that the pro-trophy hunting lobby claim they contribute to the economy and conservation. I think if they were genuinely serious about conservation and really deeply cared about the plight of animals like the black rhino they would donate the money anyway and not use it as a bargaining chip for them to kill the animal they claim to care about. Whilst the Namibian Government has a generally good track record with spending money on conservation, I would seriously doubt that all 350k will go directly to… Read more »
Keeping all animals alive isn’t actually a good policy, Neil. Animals exist in environments with predation. That’s the nature of life on earth. I think it’s baffling that you want to do away with human predation (except the cruelest kind, where a terrified animal is chased for hours or days, slowly bleeding out or dying of poison till collapsing of heat exhaustion) while also insisting that we need to stay close to nature. Hunting by predators is part of nature. It’s not Disney.
Rick, why do you forever put words into my mouth. I have never suggested that keeping all animals alive is a good thing. There is a massive difference between hunting an animal for food (particulalrly if that is your culture) and killing an animal for fun, or sport or a trophy. This is nothing to do with Disney, but our relationship to nature. A wildebeest for example being chased and hunted and then killed by a lion looks brutal, but then so would the starvation of the cubs be if the lion didn’t hunt. The difference is that the lion… Read more »
I’ll do my best to not swear here, but I’ll put a star to further show my outrage. How about we stop f* selling licences for a*hole hunters to go and hunt trophies in the first place? We raise meat and eggs on a farm. These are delivered to our stores. We have this already. We have clothing in stores. We literally don’t need any of the parts of these “trophy” animals that get killed. There is no comparison between this guy and the bushmen. The bushmen kill for survival – we have what we need already and are actually… Read more »
Hunters do more to preserve habitat than any group out there by several orders of magnitude. Get rid of hunters and you pretty much stop conservation hence dooming countless species to extinction. But whatever floats your boat.
Soooooo …
… nature can only be preserved as an expensive playground for rich men with assault rifles? That’s how your argument’s reading right now, just to let you know. There would be no “conservation”, and therefore no state or national parks, and therefore no waterfalls, trees, what-have-you, unless they’re preserved for the violent entertainment of the privileged?
I live twenty minutes from Niagara Falls, and I’m PRETTY SURE its incorporation as the first state park had nothing to do with the animals people were killing in its vicinity.
Who uses an assault rifle to hunt a rhino? You’d use a very large calibre gun to ensure a quick and hopefully painless or low pain death. Technically the most painless death would be a massive bomb on the brain which would pretty much vaporize it before the pain would even register (less painful than a needle or dart) but people might get a lil uneasy at that thought….
If the rhino is a problem and the end game benefits, then how about chemical neutering or something to try reduce aggression?
Archy, There is no evidence to suggest that this male rhino is a problem. This is more about justification of the hunt than scientific fact. There are as you suggest many other solutions than killing him. In fact anyone who suggests that killing is the only solution really isn’t thinking very creatively.
So do you have some particular insight into rhino biology, Neil? What would be some conditions you would consider to be good reason to kill a member of the herd? (I’m assuming there are some that you recognize and that you’re not just ruling out all animal death a priori.)
Mark A, Yes I agree. The arguments put forward by the trophy hunters are smoke and mirrors. There are many better and more socially inclusive reasons for conserving nature than killing the animals in the national park.
People mind you own business. Namibia has the right to do as they see fit. This is more ugly Americanism telling the world what to do.
Ron Vonn, I am not American but a citizen of the world. I have every right to comment on moral issues, wherever and whenever they occour. No country has the right to do as it sees fit. That is a recipe for disaster….
V’s can you please supply data to back up your claim? Which species in particular will become extinct if hunting ceases, I would like you to name one?
I can however think of sevral species that have been hunted to near or total extinction; scimitar horned oryx, iberian lynx, tigers (several sub-species), Tasmanian tiger, buffalo, quagga, musk ox, American crocodile, etc……
Dude, the Scimitar-horned Oryx is onlyu alive today because of sport hunters! The Addax and Dama gazelles as well .
You’re also conflating sport hunting with commercial exploitation (American Crocodile, Bison) The Quagga died out because of MEAT hunting, not sport hunting (dutch settlers needed to eat). Musk Ox are doing very well recovering due to a well regulated and managed hunt. The Tasmanian Tiger wasnt killed due to sport hunting either- again it was commercial killing to protect sheep populations.
Sport hunters do more for conservation than any group you’ve cited.
I’m pretty much done
CW, The Scimitar Horned Oryx was brought to the edge of extinction by hunters and then brought back by the actions of Flora and Fauna International. The role of trophy hunting was absolutely minimal in that particular case. As for the other species you once again overstate your case. The near extiction of the bison was also a policy carried out as part of the larger genocide against Native Americans and hunting for ‘pleasure’ featured highly in this. As did trophy hunting for the heads. The current conservation status of the musk ox is down to a variety of measures… Read more »
You need to re-read American history if you think sport hunting was even a minor factor in the decline of the Bison. Bison were threatened through industrial hunting (again- commercial hunting), habitat destruction through ranching and through deliberate destruction by the US Govt. Scimitar Horned Oryx stocks were destroyed by habitat loss, civil war and unregulated hunting. Its extinct in Africa. You know where it is absolutely thriving? Texas Game Ranches- in larger numbers than anywhere else on earth (over 11000). Hunters kept this species alive and thriving. Just to be clear and to try and steer this back to… Read more »
Bison were killed for many reasons. Militarily it was a good choice as the Bison was food,tools and clothing to the plans tribes.
CW they are not extinct in Africa and I was a part of the team who worked on that project – I wouldn’t rely on google to furnish all your facts!!
I’m sorry if I laugh at the idea of a texas game ranch – that is such an inappropriate solution……. but kind of sums up your world view!
How many are alive in Africa? There are over 11000 in Texas today.
So you accept that they are not extict in Africa then?
Good.
Next point is that the animals are part of a reintroduction programme back into their former range and not an attempt to mass breed them for hunters to shoot.
Its the morals I’m talking about here CW, not who produces the most – this is the key point that you keep missing!
Again the ends do not justify the means….
Laguna, That is the whole point for the trophy hunter, the head on a plaque and a photo standing over the dead body. The blood and gore is hidden. This is sanitised killing for people to boast about in bars and add to their lists of super slams etc……… And I do not even class it as sport. An unsuspecting animal and a man hidden with a high powered rifle is not sport. Sport is about two equally matched opponents going toe to toe, this amounts to little more than bullying….
I have survived cancer and would never wish it on someone. I resent your suggesting it as a condition for anyone.
Geri,
I am pleased that you have survived cancer. But can you please tell me where I have stated the I hope anyone gets cancer?
Wow! $350,000 to shoot one Black Rhino.
The excesses of the wealthy elite continue, unabated. I know it is his $$$$. He can do whatever he wants with it. That is his right.
I am sure an organization that specializes in rescuing young girls from sex trafficking really needed that money more than the corrupt government of Namibia. I am sure most the $$$$ will find it way into gov’t officials pockets! What a waste.
So would it be justified for someone to pay big bucks to sleep with one young (maybe virgin) sex worker, so that all that money could be used to help liberate other sex workers?
I’m not trying to be hateful or glib. This is a very questionable moral situation.
Interesting point DR Bartlette, they are not directly comparable but there is a similalrlty in the moral justification. Maybe CW or Rick would like to comment on this?
The monies spent by hunters on conservation which total over $1B annually USD in the US alone have preserved more land and habitat than any environmental group out there. Add to that the $4B spent on excise taxes that have preserved millions of acres of public land in the US. Hunting Safaris bring 2X the monies to local economies than photo safaris (on a one to one basis). Get rid of hunting safaris and you drastically change the economic calculus of bushmeat (not westerners) and Asian consumption of game animals (why do you think rhinos are endangered anyway? and again-… Read more »
What are your sources for the data you provide? If you can provide a viable source for your 1B claim then you may have a point. But you fall short in assuming a rifle is more humane than the tribesman. Even if there is the slightest chance that an animal suffers less dying by bullet vs poison arrow, it does nothing for the character of the man holding the gun. Putting yourself in an unnatural advantage to the victim you are hunting does not build character, it erodes character.
nml, I agree. It is the lack of contact with the animal that is being hunted that is part of the problem. There are many instances of animals being wounded by bullets and dying slowly and in agony – not every hunter effects a fatal shot at the first timeof asking.
Neil,
Interesting article, reading this after iI had picked up some news on the subject though imo,
I find the irony in this entire story covered by media slightly amusing, especially as all these animal rights groups are now berating this man for his choice because of the fact the Black Rhino is endangered, however what about the Bengal tiger? Which by the by numbers in no more than the hundreds to my understanding and is still being hunted.
CW, I am not advocating breaking of any laws and nowhere did I suggest that Corey should hunt like the Bushmen. The point there is that the Bushman are intricately connected to the environment in which they live and they hunt for food and not for the pleasure of killing an animal. In fact the Bushman derive no pleasure whatsoever from the killing act, if anything there is a sadness combined with gratitude. So their hunting is not merely a tribal ‘lifestyle’ issue but rather an imperative of living. Rhinos are endangered not because of the bushmeat trade but because… Read more »
Trophy hunting does the opposite of conservation, and when it does preserve habitat it is for the purpose of human consumption of animals and human recreation, it does NOT preserve the ecosystem, which is necessary for the preservation of our natural resources in the long run. It is questionable where the mondy from trophy hunting goes, boot on the gorund dispute meaningful help to those impoverished or the animals at all. Eco-tourism in a number of studies has shown the ability to bring in large amounts of cash without harming animals and local culture. http://www.ifaw.org/sites/default/files/Ecolarge-2013-200m-question.pdf SUMMARY Advocates for the African… Read more »
MJ Perez, Interesting points. I would say that the arguments that the trophy hunters use is absolutely about preservation and not conservation. The difference is that on the one hand an area is preserved by favouring (farming) it for one particular species. Animals that predate the target species or elements of the habitat that do not favout it are removed of carefully managed. The second approach is that large areas of land are set aside for the functioning of natural ecosystems. here nature is the manager. It may be that one large individual may temporarily affect the breeding success of… Read more »
“The monies spent by pedophiles on foster care of which total over $100B annually USD in the US alone have preserved more children and girls than any protection group out there. Add to that the $400B spent on excise taxes that have preserved millions of children just in the US. They pay a lot of monies to rape and kill only some children ($1m a piece) and that monies (may) go to feed other girls at the foster care centres. The trophy pedophile hunters are true heroes that give lots monies to foster care in exchange for raping and killing… Read more »