Corey Knowlton was the hunter who paid $350,000 for a chance to kill an endangered black rhino. Since he was revealed by the Dallas Safari Club to hunt the rhino, he’s become a target. He received several death threats online and has notified the FBI to stop his children from being “skinned alive and shot at”.
On his Facebook page, people have posted threats to find and kill him.
“I have friends who live in the area and will have you in their sights also,” one user wrote.
He has defended his hunt by insisting it was meant to help the black rhino. The plan was to hunt an old, non-breeding male that was endangering the rest of the herd.
“I’m a hunter,” he added. “I want to experience a black rhino. I want to be intimately involved with a black rhino. If I go over there and shoot it or not shoot it, it’s beyond the point.”
Knowlton said that the money from the auction would go towards effort to support rhino conservation.
On his Facebook page, he wrote: “I am considering all sides and concerns involved in this unique situation. Please don’t rush to judgment with emotionally driven criticism towards individuals on either side of this issue.
“I deeply care about all of the inhabitants of this planet and I am looking forward to more educated discussion regarding the ongoing conservation effort for the Black Rhino.”
I don’t know if he’ll ever get anyone to agree with him hunting a black rhino, maybe some hunters, but the majority of us think it’s outrageous. I would never consider hunting an endangered animal and I sure wouldn’t take the chance of being hunted myself!
From Cory Knowlton’s Facebook Page
Thank you all for your comments about conservation and the current situation regarding the Black Rhino.
I am considering all sides and concerns involved in this unique situation. Please don’t rush to judgment with emotionally driven criticism towards individuals on either sides of this issue. I deeply care about all of the inhabitants of this planet and I am looking forward to more educated discussion regarding the ongoing conservation effort for the Black Rhino.
It seems like it’s getting a little out of hand. One user says, ” If anyone has or can find the address or other personal details of this piece of sh**, please PM them to me.”
What do you think about the black rhino auction?