Court stops white rhino killing

The Grahamstown High Court has interdicted this weekend’s planned trophy hunt of a magnificent old white Rhino Bull on internationally renowned Lalibela Game Reserve.

The planned “walk and stalk” trophy hunt of the rhino‚ two lion and a buffalo - collectively worth over R2 million - was scheduled to start this weekend with four international hunters reportedly already in the country and waiting at Lalibela.

Judge Phakamisa Tshiki in fact interdicted the hunting of all game on Lalibela‚ except impala and warthog‚ pending the outcome of arbitration between the members of the conservancy who have been split over the planned hunting.

One of the conservancy members‚ Hillside Safaris‚ which owns Kichaka luxury eco-tourism lodge‚ took both Lalibela and the conservancy managing entity Bayeti to court to interdict the hunt.

Hillside’s Tim Fenner said the hunt was contrary to a conservancy agreement between the parties which dictates strict conditions under which culling can take place on the reserve.

Judge Tshiki said his reasons for the urgent order would follow at a later stage. -Adrienne Carlisle, RDM News Wire