Black rhino trophy-hunting bid open

The environment ministry has issued a bid for the trophy hunting of one old, post-reproductive black rhino bull for the current hunting season - which ends in November. According to ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, the hunt will take place within the provisions of the relevant 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.”This will likely be in a communal area or conservancy.Executive director Teofilus Nghitila stressed that the hunt will not take place in the Etosha National Park. “There is no hunting allowed in Etosha of any form. This is a standing rule - period,” he said. Muyunda said rhinos - just like any wildlife species in the country - are a resource and, according to the constitution and Namibia’s conservation principles, must be utilised to benefit the current and future generations of Namibians.He further explained that old rhinos become non-reproductive in a population and some will even cause territorial fights that may injure and cause mortalities to reproductive young bulls. OffersNamibian companies registered with the Namibian Tourism Board (NTB) and the ministry, owned by or having in their employment a Namibian professional hunter of big game, are invited to submit written financial offers. These offers should also indicate when they intend to conduct the hunt. Muyunda added that a 20% discount will be given to companies with at least 20% ownership by formerly disadvantaged Namibians. A 10% discount will be given to companies with formerly disadvantaged Namibians at professional hunter of big game level. The spokesperson said written financial offers in sealed envelopes can be deposited in a box at the ministry’s headquarters no later than 13:00 on 7 August. According to him, full payment must be made into the Game Products Fund. Account details will be provided to the successful bidder and proof of payment must be submitted before or on 21 August. “Failure to do so will lead to the automatic cancellation of the offer, and the next bidder in line will be given the offer.”ConservationThe funds generated from this hunt will be reinvested into rhino conservation, particularly to fund anti-poaching initiatives, and park infrastructure maintenance such as water holes and fencing, amongst other things, Muyunda said.Namibia has since 2012 sold licences each year to hunt individual rhinos. According to the ministry, the income from these licences is essential to fund conservation projects and anti-poaching protection. In 2013, two black rhinos were sold by tender to Namibian companies for trophy hunting. The winning bids were N$1.85 million and N$2.1 million respectively. The latest statistics by the ministry indicate that 23 rhinos were poached this year.

Black rhino trophy-hunting bid open

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-28

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Black rhino trophy-hunting bid open

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-28

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