U.S. backs Namibia, South Africa rhino, leopard trophy export proposals

U.S. backs Namibia, South Africa rhino, leopard trophy export proposals    The United States said it supports proposals by Namibia and South Africa to allow exports of small numbers of black rhinos.
   “Having met with both range states, we are assured that these proposals are part of a comprehensive long-term program to benefit the species,” said Marshall Jones, deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in an Oct. 4 statement.
   The United States joins 160 countries this week in Bangkok for a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
   The black rhino proposals would allow for only five adult male black rhinos hunting trophies from each country and represent an annual take of less than 0.5 percent of the estimated current population. In addition, the quota in Namibia and South Africa would apply only to surplus male rhinos, primarily post-reproductive or problem animals.
   Also, the United States supported proposals by Namibia and South Africa to increase exports of sport-hunted leopards. “Both nations agreed to meet U.S. concerns on data collection and monitoring and the use of that information for management purposes,” the United States said.