The export of 42 White rhinos from a lodge near Outjo in northern Namibia has caused outrage in environmental circles, coming hot on the heels of 63 giraffes and “an unknown number of camels” which were also sold to foreigners, according to The Windhoek Observer.
Romeo Muyunda, spokesman of the country’s Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Tourism, confirmed the transaction to Afrikaans daily Beeld, saying the rhinos were flown from Windhoek to Texas, and that the rhinos belonged to a private farmer.
Jaco Muller, owner of the game farm Kifaru Luxury Lodge and Bush Camp near Outjo, told the radio station Kosmos 94.1 News that the animals had been bought from him by a wildlife trader who had an American agent, and sold the rhinos to three different buyers.
“I don’t have any idea who the end clients are,” he said.
The Namibian reported that 40 rhinos would be shipped to the US for breeding purposes.
Muyunda expressed concern over the vast distance between Windhoek and the unknown parts of Texas where the rhinos were sent, and hoped that the animals would survive the long flight.
Beeld speculated that, by issuing export permits for the rhinos, Namibian authorities might have contravened the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) rules for the Southern White rhino.
However, the Windhoek Observer notes that the translocation of Namibian White rhinos was moved from the CITES Appendix I to Appendix II in 2022, due to population growth.
In November last year, the Namibian Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Tourism noted “a concerning trend where Namibian-registered game dealers are importing live White rhinoceros from South Africa to re-export to countries outside their natural distribution range”.
“South Africa has stricter domestic measures in place that do not (allow the) exporting of some wildlife species. Namibian private farmers, especially registered game dealers, are cautioned not to engage in such transactions as they will not be supported within the provisions of the CITES Convention.
“We will not allow Namibia to be used to circumvent the South African laws. Importing of White rhinos from South Africa might also disadvantage our farmers/game dealers in case they want to export Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Tourism White rhinoceros of Namibian origin.”
