The Rhino Hunter podcast is a comprehensive story about hunting and its impact on wildlife and the central question is: does hunting help preserve nature? The podcast addresses the issue of hunting as a way to achieve harmony in the wilderness and humans as a creature that can upset that balance. In addition, the podcast also draws attention to the social and psychological aspects of auction hunting. The podcast gives insight into the moral principles of hunters and their actions based on morality.
The podcast begins with the story of Simon Adler visiting an exhibit that is auctioning off unique tags. Tag is the special permit that gives you the right to kill one of the auction animals. Simon recounts how fierce these auctions were, as the sums were indeed significant. In addition, Simon is concerned about the method itself: the auctions are conducted under the theory that trophy hunting will contribute to species conservation. At the center of such auctions is the idea that all money raised would go to animal welfare funds and ensure the preservation of their habitats and resources. Nevertheless, society does not always accept this method positively, and hunters often face condemnation and neglect.
At an auction, Simon meets millionaire hunter Corey Knowlton, who finds the idea of trophy hunting beneficial to species conservation. Corey tells the story of becoming a hunter, focusing on the fact that he never saw hunting as a goal to hurt animals, having chosen it as a hobby to spend time with his father. It may have influenced him: At the show, he appeared as a hunter who bought a black rhinoceros hunting permit tag. The black rhino is an endangered animal, so Corey faced condemnation after the public learned about it. He mentions that he received many threats and insults, but it did not affect his point of view. Subsequently, Corey invites Simon on his trip to Namibia, where he is to find the rhinoceros.
The third and final part of the podcast focuses on a trip to Namibia and an encounter with two rhinos. Simon narrates about the long journey and the first animal he saw that amazed him. The rhino was vast and powerful, spotting the hunter and evoking a sense of danger, nevertheless, it did not harm. Team leaders pointed out that trophy hunting has increased the number of animals by 30% in the last year: a significant increase in the healthy young population.
Nevertheless, because of the aggressive behavior of the adults, hunting them continues to be an issue, which resonates with human rights and wildlife organizations. Here, Corey Knowlton shares his reasons for continuing to be a hunter. Corey sees it as a goal because he wants all peoples of Africa to continue to admire wildlife, including black rhinos.
The hunt is booming, and three days later, a group of hunters finds the rhino and kills it. Corey tells about the experience he had when the meat is fresh. At the same time, Richard Luckey, an opponent of the hunt, finds this fundamentally wrong and operates in other ways to achieve the goal. Nevertheless, Simon provides information on wildlife: poaching has declined as substantial sums from wealthy hunters have gone into conservation funds. Thus, the podcast co-stresses the confrontation between the two camps about the necessity of hunting. However, it does not go entirely into statistical detail about the benefits of auction tags. The moral principles of hunting are complicated enough, but it is always helpful to see both sides of the coin and try to find a standard solution.