The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is offering a male black rhinoceros, described as old and post-reproductive, to be hunted during the current hunting season ending November.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, on Monday said the hunting is legal under national and international regulations.
“The individual animal to be hunted will be determined by the ministry and the hunt will be accompanied by ministry officials,” Muyunda said.
He said the rhinoceros, like any other animal species in the country, is a resource that, according to the Constitution and conservation principles, must be used to benefit present and future generations.
“Aged rhinos become non-reproductive in a population, and some will even cause territorial fights that may injure and cause mortalities to reproductive young bulls,” Muyunda added.
According to Muyunda, funds generated from sustainable hunting are deposited into the Game Product Trust Fund account.
Muyunda said the fund supports general conservation in the country, including anti-poaching initiatives, as well as programmes targeted at minimising and reducing the impact of human-wildlife conflict on communities that share living space with wild animals.
Companies registered with the Namibia Tourism Board and owned by or employing a Namibian professional big game hunter registered with the environment ministry are invited to submit written financial offers for the hunt of the black rhino.
“Offers should also indicate when they intend to conduct the hunting. A 20% discount will be given to companies with at least 20% ownership by formerly disadvantaged Namibians and 10% discount for companies with formerly disadvantaged Namibians at the professional hunter level,” Muyunda said.
He said the financial offers should be submitted before 7 August.
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