Received death threat and scathing criticism. some call conservation hunting a horrific idea. these are majestic creatures and their worth alive is far greater than dead. reporter: the biggest threats are poachers and the rhinos themselves. i m cory. nice to meet you. reporter: knowlton is told by government observers to target four specific rhinos considered a high priority threat to the herd. that s the story of this rhino spotted by cameras as a watering hole just before sunrise. last year it killed another rhino in a gruesome fight. the hunt begins. the african brush is dense. knowlton will have a split second to decide whether to pull the trigger. it would be a catastrophic mistake for cory if he were to shoot the wrong rhino, one that is not on the list of eligible rhinos to be taken out of the
May find some of what you re about to see as disturbing. ed lavandera was the only reporter to go on this hunt. he joins us now live. good morning. reporter: hi carol. here poaching of black rhinos has spiked. 24 killed by poachers last year and this year the number is up to 60. the government doesn t have a lot of money to fight these poachers and cory knowlton that s why he bid $450,000 and the government says that will go to fighting poachers and that s why he hopes it will make a difference for the future of this species. three days of hunting a black rhino through the unforgiving desert brush of northern namibia ended here.