Ezemvelo KZN game auction: R11-million from rhino sales

[Toko]

Rhinos fetch a pretty price

White rhino go under the hammer.
LARRY BENTLEY | 29 September 2014 09:00

OF the more than R13-million raised at the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife game auction held at the Centenary Centre in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park on Friday, R11-million came from the sale of 26 White rhino. Buyers who were hoping for bargains were disappointed when the prices shot up as a bidder bought a White rhino and calf for R850 000.Game farmers showed that they still have confidence in keeping rhino as one buyer bought 10 animals. Other animals on auction included nyala, where a family group fetched R22 500 per animal, buffalo went for R50 000 each and giraffe R10 500. Ezemvelo CEO Dr Bandile Mkhize said after the auction that the prices reflect the confidence of buyers in the game industry as well as the quality of animals put up for auction by Ezemvelo. He thanked them for their support.

[Flutterby]

You have to wonder if these rhinos are going to hunting farms!

[Richprins]

These auctions happen every year, Flutts, and hopefully it is indeed true that KZN farmers are confident they will keep theirs alive, presumably with stunning security?....

There are 3 options:

1> Buy rhino to have hunted, which is getting more difficult and less lucrative than selling the horns for quick cash after killing them. (Not many rhino hunting farms in KZN compared to rest of SA?)

2> Buy rhino for horn farming, pending possible legalisation of trade.

3> Buy rhino to keep as massive long-term safari tourism attraction once the rest are killed!


Last one is scary!