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Blackbuck is Survivor of Canned Hunt
 Sanctuary
Blackbuck is Survivor of Canned Hunt
by Robin Nowak, Animal Caretaker
Every animal who lives here at Wildlife Rescue
& Rehabilitation (WRR) has a history worth telling. Though
some are more striking than others, almost every animal in
our care has an incredible story. I want to tell you about
one that is particularly dramatic. She is the lady blackbuck
who lives here at the WRR sanctuary.
Blackbucks are a species in the antelope family
that originated in India and parts of Pakistan and Nepal,
but unfortunately, like many other exotic animals, they have
been imported to this country to be exhibited in zoos and
hunted on exotic game ranches.
Such was the case with the blackbuck's mom.
Raised in the Texas Hill Country, her only lot in life was
to be someone's "trophy" on a paid "hunt."
These ranches are stocked with exotic animals from many countries.
Fees are charged for gun-wielding people to kill the wildlife
and claim their exotic prize. There is little reason for this
kind of hunting. No human life depends on the animal's meat
and there is no shortage of food to warrant these activities.
But these ranches are prolific in Texas, and the moniker "canned
hunt" is often a true representation of what occurs.
Canned hunts violate the ethical principles of most people
— including hunters — however, canned hunting
does not always violate the law, which varies greatly from
state to state. Currently, 11 states have a complete ban on
canned hunting of mammals, 12 states have a partial ban on
mammals, and 2 states have bans in process.
 The
blackbuck's mother was shot and killed by one of these hunters.
He then realized she was pregnant and a wave of guilt apparently
overcame him. He took his pocket knife and cut her mother's
belly open and delivered the blackbuck fawn himself.
Blackbuck girl was brought to WRR still damp
from the birthing. She was kept warm and fed by an entire
staff dedicated to making sure she had everything she needed
for survival. She spent her early days in the clinic, then,
when she was big enough, she was put out in the pasture with
the other youngsters, mostly lambs. They roamed, banded together,
and were duly named "The Baby Gang." It was a sight
to see — 15 or so young lambs and one blackbuck browsing
the pastures en masse.
Her life has passed quite contentedly these
last few years. The lambs matured into sheep and went their
merry sheep ways. Blackbuck is now in a pasture along with
a few sheep, one lovely goat named Chocolate, several pigs,
and Rocky, a sheep boy.
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