Texas man who won bid to hunt endangered black rhino faces death threats

Texas man who won bid to hunt endangered black rhino faces death threats

Posted by Sylvester on Monday, January 20, 2014 0

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Corey Knowlton said he went into hiding since paying $350,000 for the license to hunt the horned creature in the southern African nation of Namibia - because activists threatened him and his family.

Corey Knowlton said he’s received several death threats since winning a $350,000 bid to hunt a black rhinoceros in the south African country of Namibia.

The hunter has become the hunted.
A Texan who paid $350,000 for the chance to kill an endangered black rhino in the south African country of Namibia is now in semi-hiding after being hit with death threats.
Corey Knowlton, who put up the cash during the Dallas Safari Club's auction on Saturday, said the lives of his family have been threatened in the aftermath of his buy.

Knowlton said he’s been hiding in a Las Vegas, Nev., hotel and has hired a security detail since receiving the threats.

The 35-year-old professional animal assassin had to boost up security and move to a Las Vegas, Nev., hotel since winning the bid from the Namibian government to hunt the horned creature.

The FBI is also investigating.

A rhinoceros, often hunted for their horns, stands in a field.

But, despite facing a torrent of abuse, he told CNN that wanted to use his purchase — which he claims will in fact help save the species — to encourage sensible debate about conservation.

And he said that, with his fee going to help preserve the future of the African animals, it showed he cares "deeply" about animals.

"I respect the black rhino," he told the news station.

Pat Antonisse (l.) and Gary Angle (r.) join protesters outside the Dallas Convention Center where the Dallas Safari Club held its weekend show and auction on Saturday.