The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) has announced that it granted approval for the export of 42 live white rhinoceroses to the United States.

The rhinos are privately owned and not government property, as only black rhinos are state-owned in Namibia.

The Ministry emphasised that the sale adheres to Namibian law, which permits private individuals to buy and sell white rhinos under regulated conditions.

MEFT Spokesperson Romeo Muyunda confirmed that the export was conducted legally, with the necessary permits issued, including those required by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The Ministry expressed concern over the rising interest in exporting white rhinos for breeding purposes, particularly from South Africa to Namibia before being sent to the U.S. This practice, it says, raises legal issues as South African laws prohibit such exports.

In this case, however, all exported rhinos have been verified as of Namibian origin through DNA analysis.

The Ministry cautioned that exporting live white rhinos outside their natural range could pose risks to their conservation. It therefore plans to publish a notice in the Government Gazette to better regulate future exports. 

The statement follows concerns raised by environmental advocates regarding animal welfare and the ethical implications of such trades.