The Wildlife & Environment Society of SA (WESSA) and other NGOs are questioning the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA) about rhino being hunted for the horn trade by professional hunters and outfitters. Hunting for the horn trade is not allowed under CITES.
It is claimed that besides those being poached, about 300 have been shot for the trade. Should hunting for the trade not cease, the NGOs will approach CITES to upgrade rhino to Schedule 1, effectively banning legal hunting of the species.
Personally, I cannot get my head around why anyone would want to shoot a rhino – or any animal for sport for that matter. Although hunting proponents will often trumpet the sport’s “indispensable” contribution to the financing of conservation, this practice flies in the face of all such claims. It is a despicable practice and is driven by greed.
WESSA also states that rhino poached in Zimbabwe are being “laundered” by South African landowners and outfitters.
EcoAfrica does not promote hunting. But do note that there is a hunting operation that uses our name, despite it being a registered trademark. I suppose that speaks volumes for the ethics involved. We never have, and never will have anything to do with hunting.
Ralph is one of ecoAfrica.com's founders. 
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It really is hard to fathom the sport in hunting down a huge rather lethargic animal and shooting it with a high powered rifle. Not that a rhino can’t present challenges to foot traffic in the bush, indeed they can! But really, there’s far more sport in womanizing – at least the prey have a choice!
This is very unfortunate, and two things need to be done. The first is better protection of the Rhinos and enforcement of existing laws. Secondly, countries where rhino horns are purchased need to be educated to the damage they are inflicing on a rare and beautiful species.
I think that its awful that this is happening again, just when they were getting this all sorted out and the population was growing.
I can’t think of any thing sadder than this news people have been trying for so long to build up the rhino population only to have this huge set back, what is wrong with man and his greed.
Sadly Eastern Cape Parks closed Dwesa NR this past week under the guise of a refurbishment to allow a rhino hunt to take place …. a sanctuary for 13 white rhino now reduced by possibily 6 animals by the very custodians charged with protecting a CITES listed species. This after a public outcry, much negative media and with no revision on the moral and ethic issues surrounding the fact that these rhino were hunted by Vietnamese for the horn and one or two other bits ….. I cannot understand the logic of allowing this to persist ‘legally’ when 3 rhino are illegally killed a week by poachers in SA. Time for a change at the Eastern Cape Parks – management and Board!!