Environment and Tourism game auction nets N$6m

ANIMALS with a combined value of nearly N$6 million were sold to buyers from Namibia and abroad at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s live game auction at the end of last week.

The highest price was fetched by seven black rhinos, which were sold for N$310 000 each. Minister Willem Konjore said the auction has become a highlight on the ministry’s calendar, as it shows that the conservation of rare species has been successful and that the surplus can be auctioned off.This creates new breeding populations and injects new breeding material into existing populations.The minister also said that the ministry will continue to restock registered conservancies and parks with species that may be absent.They will also continue with the custodianship programme for black rhino and the Ministry will shortly launch a wildlife breeding stock loan scheme to support formerly disadvantaged farmers wishing to enter the wildlife industry.Revenue from the auction will be made available for conservation purposes through the Game Products Trust Fund, for the ministry to promote the conservation of rare species and establish new populations.The Ministry hopes to hold another auction in two years.At last week’s auction, the sale of two male rhinos was cancelled as there were no takers at the reserve price of N$100 000 per rhino.Forty buffaloes were sold for a total of N$390 000 to two bidders from South Africa.The 22 roan antelope on auction were sold to Namibian game farmers for a total of N$1 686 500, while the 11 sable antelope fetched a price of N$955 000.Thirty black-faced impala were sold for N$435 000 and 21 giraffes for N$200 400.Minister Willem Konjore said the auction has become a highlight on the ministry’s calendar, as it shows that the conservation of rare species has been successful and that the surplus can be auctioned off.This creates new breeding populations and injects new breeding material into existing populations.The minister also said that the ministry will continue to restock registered conservancies and parks with species that may be absent.They will also continue with the custodianship programme for black rhino and the Ministry will shortly launch a wildlife breeding stock loan scheme to support formerly disadvantaged farmers wishing to enter the wildlife industry.Revenue from the auction will be made available for conservation purposes through the Game Products Trust Fund, for the ministry to promote the conservation of rare species and establish new populations.The Ministry hopes to hold another auction in two years.At last week’s auction, the sale of two male rhinos was cancelled as there were no takers at the reserve price of N$100 000 per rhino.Forty buffaloes were sold for a total of N$390 000 to two bidders from South Africa.The 22 roan antelope on auction were sold to Namibian game farmers for a total of N$1 686 500, while the 11 sable antelope fetched a price of N$955 000.Thirty black-faced impala were sold for N$435 000 and 21 giraffes for N$200 400.