Corey Knowlton, Who Won Auction To Kill Endangered Black Rhino, Now Fears For His Life

[Purveyor]

The winning bidder in a $350,000 auction for the right to kill an endangered black rhinoceros now says that death threats from the public have left him in fear for his life.

Corey Knowlton, a “hunting consultant” and co-host of the Outdoor Channel’s Jim Shockey’s The Professionals, was outed through social media as the winner of the Dallas Safari Club’s auction. The hunting club has said that all of the money would be given to Namibia for “anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection, research and other measures crucial for protecting populations of endangered black rhinos,” but nonetheless sparked the ire of some wildlife groups … and the denizens of the Internet.

Knowlton told Dallas’ ABC affiliate WFAA that he stepped up to bid at the club’s request after other high-dollar bidders backed away in the face of the controversy. Immediately after winning the bid, he began receiving threats to himself and his family, he said.

“The fact of the matter is, we raised $350,000 for the black rhino. It’s the most that’s ever been raised. It’s absolutely going to conservation. We’re not just going … here’s have a beer, find a rhino. It’s a scientific process to find the one that’s causing the most problems.”

Watch a news report describing Knowlton’s fear for his life below.

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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/18/corey-knowlton-who-won-auction-to-kill-endangered-black-rhino-now-fears-for-his-life/

[Faygo Kid]

1. His life shouldn't be threatened, but this is wrong.

I don't understand the mindset. I taught riflery to kids a lifetime ago, and only shot and killed one thing in my life, a possum who was eating the wood of my platform at the rifle range four decades ago. I hated it, and have regretted it ever since, and haven't picked up a gun in 30 years. I don't know why people want to kill living things, but I accept that it's the reality. But when it comes to endangered species, and the example set by this and nutjobs like Nugent, I draw the line.

I don't want him hurt. I want him to learn something. He can raise money by being an advocate for black rhinos rather than killing one.

[Purveyor]

4. Back when I was a kid I used to deer hunt around the Waterloo Rec area where I still live.

Killed 2 bucks and then went to Houston for 14+ years. The first year I came back to live in Michigan I hauled out all the old deer hunting gear and my granddad's 12ga Belgium Browning, all hyped to go 'hunting again'.

Set up in my old spot before daylight and waited. Once it become daylight enough I heard someone cough and that someone was up in a fucking tree-stand.

I look around and hell, there were 2 other guys up in the trees covering the same area I was hunting but I was hunting from the ground like we used to do.

It was illegal to use tree stands and bait deer back when I was a hunting as a kid and had no idea it had changed so much.

Sniping from a tree stand is NOT hunting in my book and certainly not a sport.

I left the woods disgusted those 15 years ago and haven't been back with a gun in my hands since.

[boston bean]

2. If he cares so much about the rhino, then just give the money and give up the hunt.

[brer cat]

3. +1. Absolutely. nt

[WinkyDink]

5. Alternate headline: "Endangered black rhino fears for its life after $350,000 auction."

[The Blue Flower]

6. I was going to say the rhino's not feeling so great, either

Interesting that he doesn't like the feeling of being hunted.

[Tom Ripley]

7. The Most Irony-impaired Game

[1000words]

8. The hunter becomes the hunted.

How's it feel to be prey?

[Luminous Animal]

9. Is there an auction to hunt him?