Black Rhino trophy imported to US

I thought this was a pretty cool story. It's good to see even a tiny bit of common sense for once. I'm not really up on all the African hunting thing, so I was wondering what all your thoughts might be?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-wis-hunter-import-rare-rhino-trophy-19077967#.UYEUIPnn_MN

US Allows Wis. Hunter to Import Rare Rhino Trophy

The U.S. is allowing a hunter to bring a slain African rhinoceros back to Wisconsin, the first time American officials have allowed a black rhinoceros hunting trophy to be imported since the animal was listed as endangered in 1980.

David K. Reinke, 52, of Madison, killed the rhino in 2009 with the blessing of the Namibian government. He argued that the killing was an act of "conservation hunting" because he was culling an elderly rhino that was unable to reproduce but could still aggressively crowd out fertile rivals. But the decision angers wildlife supporters, who worry the decision sets a dangerous precedent encouraging trophy hunters to kill endangered animals.

"My desire is to help save the rhino through a scientific method approved by the United States and other agencies," Reinke said. "It's all about conservation."

Great story. I love how they refer to it as a "slain African rhinoceros", like it was done illegally.

If it wasn't for hunters, Africa wildlife numbers would be in the toilet. The Anti's and idiot local poachers are doing there best to still screw it up.

I am glad I will at least have 2 trips there. Who knows how long hunting will last in Africa...

>Great story. I love how
>they refer to it as
>a "slain African rhinoceros", like
>it was done illegally.
>
>If it wasn't for hunters, Africa
>wildlife numbers would be in
>the toilet. The Anti's
>and idiot local poachers are
>doing there best to still
>screw it up.

>
>
>

+1
Absolutely the truth!
I had an issue with a civet cat from Africa but it got resolved without too much headache but the real big issue was the difficult and protracted procurement of my MP sheep from Tajikistan. I had to get a Senator involved to make some progress. I have it now so "no blood, no foul" I guess.

The USFWS usually shows little to no common sense.

Zeke

This was a great victory for common sense with the USFWS. Unfortunately, that is a rare occurance, especially with the current administration. Lions, or at least the ability to import them much longer, is still very much in doubt and some of the people who you'd think would be working on 'our' side, apparently are not like we think they are. There are some powerful people in Tanzania's safari industry who are lobbying against Dr. Craig Packer and his Serengeti lion research, and they're tied in with some people here in the USA who we think are working on our behalf, but perhaps not like we think they are.

We need to have more instances like this Black Rhino where a legitimate sport hunter can bring his trophy home. Very limited hunting of Black Rhino bulls has been a major factor in helping Namibia become probably the single best example of Black Rhino conservation.