From Safari Club International In the Crosshairs Newsletter

From SCI Newsleter In the Crosshairs:

"There have been numerous questions about darting rhinos in South Africa since a new series of regulations were announced this year. Information has been confirmed at the on-going CITES meeting in The Hague.

The darting of rhinos is allowed only for legitimate veterinary purpose and it must be done by a veterinarian. However, the South African government has no problem with a veterinarian using a hunter to do the actual darting. The government is aware that there are hunters who want to be able to dart rhinos and they don't care, as long as the hunt and the darting meet the requirements of their new regulations (which go into effect on February 1, 2008).

What the South African regulations say specifically about darting is that darting means "to shoot the specimen with a projectile loaded with a tranquilizing, narcotic, immobilizing, or similar agent" and that this can be done "by a veterinarian or a person authorized in writing by a veterinarian and in possession of a valid permit, whether on foot or from a motorized vehicle or aircraft, to immobilize or tranquilize the animal for the purpose of (a) carrying out a disease control procedure or a scientific experiment or for management purposes; (b) veterinary treatment of the animal; or (c) translocating or transporting the animal."