USA: Outrage as permit to kill an endangered black rhino in Naimbia is auctioned off

There has been outrage in the United States after a permit to hunt and kill a Black Rhino was sold at a US auction for $350,000. 

There has been outrage at the auction to kill a Black Rhino,
pictured. Image source: National Geographic. 

The hunt, the auction for which was organised by the Dallas Safari Club, will allow the killing of one, single post-breeding bull. Namibian wildlife officials will be on hand to make sure the correct animal is selected, according to reports.

Namibia is thought to be home to around 5,000 of the endangered Black Rhino's, and issues three hunting permits each year.

Dallas Safari Club says the hunt which it has auctioned off will help protect the species as it will remove an older, more aggressive rhino.

Proceeds from the auction are said to be funding conservation work for the species  in Namibia, giving the countries government much needed money to combat poachers. Executive of the Dallas Safari Club, Ben Carter said that "biologists in Namibia were hopeful that a US-based auction would produce a record amount for rhino conservation, and thats exactly what happened".

However, animal rights activists have reacted with fury at the news of the auction, and there were protests as the auction took place. One activist, who wished to remain anonymous, told BW Latest: "It's sickening. This species is endangered and so a company decides to hold an auction so someone can go and kill one -  what sort of person would want to go and kill such a gracious animal anyway. They should be outraged and jailed for life...or how about we auction them off to be killed?".