North Texas

Groups Ask for Denial of Hunter's Black Rhino Import Request

Animal rights groups are asking a U.S. agency to block a North Texas businessman from importing the carcass of an endangered black rhinoceros he killed in Africa.

The permit to hunt the black rhino was auctioned in December 2016 for $275,000 by the Dallas Safari Club and others. Lacy Harber killed the rhino in February 2017.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting public comments on the import permit through Feb. 5.

Supporters say auction proceeds go toward conservation efforts.

The Humane Society of the United States says letting hunters kill black rhinos will take a severe toll on their populations.

Harber, from Denison, didn't immediately return phone calls Friday.

Trophy hunting has been heavily criticized in recent years, including the 2015 killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe.

Copyright The Associated Press
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