Mail & Guardian (London)
June 1, 2001
The Mail & Guardian reports that a rare East African black
rhino, also known as michaeli rhino, is about to be killed in a
"canned" hunt near Johannesburg.
According to the article, the rhino cow was brought to South Africa
12 years ago as part of an endangered species breeding programme
run by North West-based wildlife dealer John Brooker. Named Baixinha,
the rhino cow is apparently very tame and often features in movies
and commercials.
However, a Norwegian hunter is reportedly prepared to pay more
than $60 000 to shoot the black rhino cow as he believes she will
make a unique trophy. According to Brooker, a hunting permit has
been granted on the basis that South African black rhinos are a
different sub-species and "hunting" her will not have
an impact on local populations, the article states.
Brooker is quoted as saying that Baixinha will be "hunted"
because the breeding project has floundered on conservation red
tape. "The project failed as a result of political interference
by conservation NGOs and bureaucrats. Their attitude was that the
only people who could have black rhinos in this country were the
national parks," he reportedly said.
According to the article, the Ethical Conservation Network, a local
watchdog body, has offered to find Baixinha a new mate and home
in East Africa. However, the offer has not been taken up by the
financial backer of the failed breeding project, David Laylin, an
American businessman.
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