Wildlife crime in Namibia has become a serious concern that threatens our natural heritage and damages our environment. Well-organised gangs enter vulnerable areas; crime syndicates organise the trafficking of horns and tusks through complex networks leading to foreign markets. If the current syndicate-based wildlife crime is not brought under control it will trigger a vicious cycle which results in enhanced rural poverty. Without conservation hunting, conservancies in Namibia can’t sustainably operate and pay their game guards, this will reduce presence on the ground. News about wildlife crime will reduce attractiveness for visitors in a flagship park like Etosha National Park, and tourism numbers will decline. Income in rural areas will drastically be reduced: community game guards will lose jobs, direct employment created through hunting and tourism will be lost, controlled meat provision is stopped. Secondary industries will be affected, unemployment increases, tax income is reduced. More efforts and costs have to be committed to protect wildlife with lesser chances of success, because to secure their livelihoods rural communities will revert to illegal use of wildlife.