Texas oil heir claims he is helping the survival of the species after shooting dead rare black rhino in Namibia

A TEXAS oil heir who paid $440,000 to shoot dead a black rhino claims the killing will help the critically-endangered species to survive. But is he right?

Supplied Editorial Corey Knowlton, from Texas, downed the rhino on Monday with a high-powered rifle after a three-da

A HUNTER who paid $440,000 to kill a black rhinoceros in Namibia says his actions will help protect the critically-endangered species.

Corey Knowlton, from Texas, downed the rhino on Monday with a high-powered rifle after a three-day hunt through the bush with government officials on hand to ensure he killed the correct animal.

Hunter ... Corey Knowlton downed the rhino with a high-powered rifle. Picture: Facebook

The 36-year-old, whose father owns private energy firm BASA, won the right to shoot the rhino at an auction in Dallas in early 2014. He attracted fierce criticism from many conservationists and even some death threats.

He took a CNN camera crew on the hunt to try to show why he believed the killing was justified.

According to CNN, Mr Knoulton knelt down beside the rhino after the kill, telling the network: “Any time you take an animal’s life it’s an emotional thing.”

Trail of death ... Mr Knowlton’s Facebook page has numerous pictures of him posing next to dead animals. Picture: Facebook

“I think people have a problem just with the fact that I like to hunt,” Mr Knowlton said.

“I want to see the black rhino as abundant as it can be. I believe in the survival of the species.”

Since 2012, Namibia has sold five licences to kill individual rhinos.

It says the money is used to fund conservation projects and anti-poaching protection.

The only rhinos selected for the hunts are old ones that no longer breed and those that pose a threat to younger rhinos.

Grim scene ... Mr Knowlton’s trophy room. Picture: Facebook

His bid to kill the rhino attracted huge controversy with Mr Knowlton claiming he had to hire full-time security due to death threats after his name was leaked onto the internet.

In a Facebook post earlier this month he insisted he wasn’t backing down from what he called “sound traditional conservation methods”.

In a post dated Wednesday attracted support and criticism in equal measure he said that “The Rhino Hunt is over”.

The hunt ... Mr Knowlton takes aim at the black rhino. Picture: CNN

Poster Karen Harkness wrote: “Finding enjoyment in causing death? You need to do a little introspection. You need to face the fact that you are extraordinarily misguided. I feel sorry for you and wish you enlightenment.”

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says there were about 850,000 black rhinos alive through much of the last century before hunting left only about 2400 in 1995, but the numbers have since edged up to about 5000.

The exact location of Mr Knowlton’s hunt was kept secret to avoid tipping off poachers.

Oil scion ... Mr Knowlton’s father Lary owns private energy firm BASA. Picture: Facebook