BANGKOK, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- A ban on hunting critically endangered black rhinoceros has been lifted by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, The Telegraph reported.
The convention in Bangkok limited the annual cull to five each in Namibia and South Africa, where hunting advocates said wealthy sportsmen would likely be willing to pay as much as $250,000 for one of the permits.
The black rhino has a population of about 3,600. It is slightly smaller than its more numerous close cousin, the white rhino.
John Jackson, the chairman of Conservation Force, an international coalition of hunting groups, said the total of 10 black rhinos a year authorized Monday was "not biologically significant."
The permits will be issued only for adult male animals beyond breeding age, the convention ruled.
Hunting the black rhino has been banned since 1977, meaning all international trade in trophies and parts is banned. With regard to poaching, the animal is still classified as critically endangered.
