THE killing of a white rhino during a hunt at a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, which an international website claimed is a new world Safari Club International (SCI) record, has been slammed by an animal rights organisation.

According to a Danish hunting agency in South Africa – Limpopo Travel – Danish big game hunter Martin Christensen set the record when he shot what could be the largest rhino to have been killed during a hunt last month.

East Cape Hunters manager Andrew Austin , who confirmed that he was part of the hunt, said the rhino was shot at Cradock Private Game Reserve in May.

“I think it is about 28 years old and weighs three tons.”

Animal Rights Africa (ARA) spokesperson Michele Pickover has lashed out at the killing of the rhino, saying it was another example that trophy hunting in South Africa was out of control.

“(This) vile killing event is unpalatable and is a threat to our tourism industry. Eco-tourism is the real money-spinner that contributes to sustainable livelihoods, not trophy hunting.”

South Africa has been currently entrusted with over 90 percent of the world’s population of rhinoceroses, she added.

“At the same time, it has become abundantly clear that not only are rhinoceroses in South Africa facing one of their worst threats ever as a species, but they are literally under siege and this means untold suffering and death for the individuals involved.”

Pickover said the government was fast losing credibility as a trustworthy conservation agency.

“Instead it seems to be driven by financial motivations and rampant ‘sustainable use’ policies, a product of both colonial and apartheid rule.

Attempts to get a comment from Limpopo Travel agency manager Jannik Hansen proved unsuccessful.

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=322274