This archive of published media articles about wildlife crime in Namibia aims to:
Public access to information is a vital component of ensuring community engagement in prevalent issues. Wildlife crime is one of the pressing environmental issues of our time.
Wildlife crime investigations are generally covert operations requiring utmost confidentiality to succeed. Investigations and prosecutions in complex cases may take months or even years to complete. For this reason, the information that can be released to the public without compromising cases is often limited. Nonetheless, the Namibian government strives to share as much information as possible with the public.
The Namibian media has welcomed this approach and regularly publishes statistics and feature articles on wildlife crime. These are entered into the database at regular intervals, creating a comprehensive archive of wildlife crime reporting in Namibia.
Explore your search results using the filter checkboxes, or amend your search or start a new search.
The Namibia Professional Hunting Association (Napha) has publicly emphasised the need to distinguish between illegal and ethical practices related to leopard hunting but has not clearly condemned the illegal activities that are being exposed by the media as well as being investigated by law enforcement and prosecuted in the courts. Behind the scenes, parts of the trophy sector are lobbying to legalise hunting with dogs and hunting at night.
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NAM_2024_09_Leopard shooting and the hunting dilemma_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 254.34 KB |
In Namibia werden vermehrt Leoparden auf inakzeptable Weise gejagt. Jagdpraktiken, die der Tierquälerei nahekommen und nichts mehr mit naturschutzorientierter Jagd im Einklang mit der Natur zu tun haben, fassen in der Branche zunehmend Fuß - dem muss ein Ende gesetzt werden. In Namibia, leopards are increasingly being hunted in unacceptable ways. Hunting practices that come close to animal cruelty and no longer have anything to do with conservation-oriented hunting in harmony with nature are increasingly gaining a foothold in the industry - this must be put to an end.
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NAM_2024_04_Leopardenjagd eskaliert_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 358.49 KB |
NAM_2024_03_Leopard hunting escalates_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 355.25 KB |
Ten spyte daarvan dat Namibië een van die lande in Afrika is wat die minste misdaad ervaar, moet baie nog gedoen word om onder meer wetstoepassing te verbeter.
Despite the fact that Namibia is one of the countries in Africa that experiences the least crime, much still needs to be done to, among other things, improve law enforcement.
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NAM_2023_12_Relatief min misdaad in Namibie_Republikein.pdf | 351.16 KB |
NAM_2023_12_Relatively little crime in Namibia_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 334 KB |
Despite the fact that Namibia is one of African countries that experiences the least crime, much still needs to be done to improve law enforcement, among other things.
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NAM_2023_11_Namibias crime levels relatively low_Namibian Sun.pdf | 313.86 KB |
The City of Windhoek says it will probe complaints that grass, trees and wood are being harvested illegally at Avis Dam. This comes after Namibia Media Holdings received a complaint and photos from a concerned Avis resident who said persons, who hold permits to harvest grass on Windhoek's side roads, apparently drove trucks full of grass and wood from the dam.
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NAM_2023_09_Illegal logging claims at Avis Dam_Namibian Sun.pdf | 317.34 KB |
The Windhoek Municipality (CoW) says it will investigate after receiving complaints about grass, trees and wood being harvested illegally in the vicinity of the Avisdam. This follows after Republikein received a complaint and photos from a concerned Avis resident, who claims that persons who have a permit to harvest grass on the sidewalks have also apparently already driven lorry loads of grass and wood away from Avisdam. Andreas Voigt provided photos of people who apparently recently drove away wood and grass with a "ten-ton lorry" from Avis.
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NAM_2023_09_Avis timber poaching to be investigated_Says COW_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 304.88 KB |
Omaruru-boere sê gemsbokke in dié omgewing is so te sê uitgeroei en dat hulle bekommerd is oor die impak op die toerismebedryf.
Omaruru farmers say chamois in this area have been virtually eradicated and that they are worried about the impact on the tourism industry.
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NAM_2023_08_Livestock wildlife theft overwhelming_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 259.87 KB |
NAM_2023_08_Vee_ Wilddiefstal_Probleem oorweldigend_Republikein.pdf | 451.92 KB |
Farmer in der Gegend von Omaruru beschweren sich erneut darüber, dass das Problem mit Viehdiebstahl und Wilderei überwältigend sei - so sehr, dass sie befürchten, dass die Farmen aufgegeben werden. So spricht Markus Trede von der Farm Lindholm bei Omaruru, der am Dienstag auf seiner Farm einen Eland fand, der in einer Drahtschlinge grausam verendet war. Auf seiner Farm wurden in den letzten Wochen außerdem sechs Rinder gewildert. "Sie kommen auch wegen des Wildes. Auf unseren oder umliegenden Höfen findet man fast keine Gemsböcke mehr.
'n Boer en verskeie plaaswerkers in die Omatjette-omgewing moes die afgelope naweek die handdoek ingooi nadat hulle vir langer as tien ure tevergeefs op die spoor van gemsbokstropers was. Die stropers het na raming minstens 60 km geloop om een gemsbok te slag. Volgens die boer op wie se plaas geslag is, is daar so ver gestap omdat daar moontlik nie meer wild op nabygeleë plase oor is nie.
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NAM_2023_08_Stropers loop 60km vir gemsbok_Republikein.pdf | 493.37 KB |
NAM_2023_08_Poachers walk 60km for gemsbok_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 451.82 KB |
'n Boer het die afgelope week 14 gestroopte gemsbokke op sy plaas gevind, terwyl hy reeds
40 draadstrikke verwyder het.
A farmer found 14 poached oryx on his farm in the past week, while he had already
removed 40 wire snares.
Die Strafverfolgungsbehörden in Namibia, Mosambik und Sambia werden immer aufmerksamer, wenn es um den illegalen Schmuggel von u. a. Abalonen (Meeresschnecken) durch ihre Länder geht. Denn es mehren sich die Hinweise, dass dieselben Unternehmen und Personen, die in diesen Schmuggel verwickelt sind, auch an der Ausfuhr anderer illegaler Wildprodukte und weiteren illegalen Aktivitäten beteiligt sind. Demnach scheinen verschiedene Formen der Kriminalität mit dem illegalen Handel von Wildtieren zusammenzuhängen.
Wetstoepassers in Namibië, asook in Mosambiek en Zambië begin al hoe meer let op die onwettige smokkelary van onder meer perlemoen deur hul lande. Dit omdat daar groeiende bewyse is dat dieselfde maatskappye en individue wat betrokke is in dié smokkelary, ook betrokke is in die uitvoer van onwettige wildprodukte en ander onwettige bedrywighede. Inteendeel, groeiende bewyse dui op 'n samevloeiing van ander vorme van misdaad met onwettige handel in wildprodukte.
Two men were arrested yesterday around 09:00 in the Dordabis area after they allegedly poached two black rhinos, a cow and a calf, on a farm. The suspects had a hunting rifle in their possession, as well as 15 bullets, of which three had already been used. Two rhino horns were also found. The rhinos are valued at around N$500 000 each. The men were charged with various offences, including hunting protected wildlife and being in possession of unlicensed weapons. Police investigations continue.
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NAM_2023_03_Two rhino poachers apprehended_Namibian Sun.pdf | 309.21 KB |
Twee mans is gister omstreeks 09:00 in die Dordabis-omgewing in hegtenis geneem nadat hulle glo twee swartrenosters, ‘n koei en ‘n kalf, op ‘n plaas doodgeskiet het. Die verdagtes het ‘n jaggeweer in hul besit gehad, asook 15 koeëls, waarvan drie reeds gebruik is. Twee renosterhorings is ook gevind. Die waarde van die renosters is sowat N$500 000 per renoster. Die mans is aangekla vir verskeie oortredings, insluitende vir die jag van beskermde wild en omdat hulle in besit was van ongelisensieërde wapens. Die polisie se ondersoek duur voort.
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NAM_2023_03_Twee renosterstropers aangekeer_Republikein.pdf | 223.54 KB |
NAM_2023_03_Two rhino poachers apprehended_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 198.5 KB |
Zwei Männer wurden gestern gegen 09:00 Uhr in der Region Dordabis festgenommen, nachdem sie auf einer Farm zwei Spitzmaulnashörner, eine Kuh und ein Kalb, gewildert haben sollen. Die Verdächtigen waren im Besitz eines Jagdgewehrs und von 15 Kugeln, von denen drei bereits verwendet worden waren. Außerdem wurden zwei Nashornhörner gefunden. Die Nashörner haben einen Wert von jeweils rund 500 000 N$. Die Männer wurden wegen verschiedener Vergehen angeklagt, unter anderem wegen der Jagd auf geschützte Wildtiere und des Besitzes von nicht zugelassenen Waffen.
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NAM_2023_03_Zwei Nashorn Wilderer festgenommen_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 289.33 KB |
NAM_2023_03_Two rhino poachers arrested_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 287.8 KB |
Operation Blue Rhino was initiated in 2018 to counter the surge in high-value wildlife crime in Namibia. The formal cooperation between government ministries is enabled through external funding support. Blue Rhino is facilitated through active collaboration amongst numerous partner organisations. Effective conservation systems that enable healthy wildlife populations form the foundation of biodiversity protection in Namibia. Anti-poaching initiatives guard against criminal impacts on vulnerable wildlife.
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NAM_2023_01_Operation Blue Rhino_Panorama Solutions.pdf | 779.16 KB |
Boere het gister by die landdroshof op Karibib saamgekom om te probeer verhoed dat borgtog aan vermeende vee- en wildstropers toegestaan word. Dit volg nadat daar in die week tussen volmaan en 21 Julie beeste ter waarde van N$135 000, gemsbokke van N$60 000 en sebras van N$9 000 in die omgewing van Otjiwarongo, Karibib en Omaruru gesteel is.
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NAM_2022_07_Honderde duisende se vee_wild gestroop_Republikein.pdf | 472.42 KB |
NAM_2022-07_Hundreds of thousands of cattle_game poached_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 628.17 KB |
Kursusgangers het onder meer geleer oor misdaadfotografie, om afgietsels van skoenafdrukke te neem en afdrukke van motorspore te maak.
Course participants learned, among other things, about crime photography, taking shots of shoe prints and making prints of car tracks.
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NAM_2022_03_Touwys gemaak oor dieremisdaadtonele_Republikein.pdf | 794.25 KB |
NAM_2022_03_Training for animal crime scenes_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 800.2 KB |
Lede van die Nossob Misdaadvoorkomingsforum (NCPF) het die afgelope Donderdagoggend in lewensgevaar verkeer nadat hulle 'n voertuig, met vermoedelik gesteelde wildsvleis daarin, agterna gesit het. Hulle het die motor as die eiendom van 'n "bekende verdagte" op Witvlei herken. Die motor het teen klippe in Witvlei se nuwe informele nedersetting vasgery, waarna twee insittendes uitgespring en weggehardloop het.
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NAM_2021_12_Vermeende stropers val NCPF_lede aan_Republikein.pdf | 345.74 KB |
NAM_2021_12_Suspected poachers attack NCPF members_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 345.04 KB |
Honde wat skape tydens strooptogte verskeur, lewende beeste waarvan die hakskene afgekap is en of wat in draadstrukke wurg, asook wild wat met assegaaie gesteek word en lydsaam vrek - dit is aan die orde van die dag op Namibiese plase. Selfs dragtige diere word nie deur stropers en diewe gespaar nie, terwyl landbouers net magteloos moet toekyk. Meer as 90 mense oraloor die land het Republikein die afgelope twee weke gekontak nadat vrae as deel van ‘n informele opname in die sosiale media oor vee- en wilddiefstal gestel is.
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NAM_2021-11_Bloedbad op plase_Republikein.pdf | 526.61 KB |
NAM_2021-11_Massacre on farms_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 527.29 KB |
Boere in die Witvlei-omgewing is opnuut moedeloos met 'n vlaag van vee- en wildmisdaad oor die afgelope maand, terwyl hulle sê die regstelsel misluk daarin om enige beskerming aan hulle of hul eiendom te bied.
Farmers in the Witvlei area are once again discouraged with a spate of livestock and game crime over the past month, saying the legal system is failing to provide any protection to them or their property.
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NAM_2021_10_Witvlei_boere_Regstelsel faal ons_Repiblikein.pdf | 375.59 KB |
NAM_2021_10_Witvlei farmers_Legal system fails us_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 375.03 KB |
Sodra die wêreld Covid-19 onder beheer kry, kan stropery - veral die stroping van olifante - weer die hoogte inskiet. Dit sal dan die opgeboude vraag na ivoor in die wêreld se swartmarkte moet inhaal. Mnr. Daniel Stiles, 'n onafhanklike ondersoeker wat dekades reeds spesialiseer in onwettige markte en handel in wild en wildprodukte, waarsku dat 'n onlangse styging in swartmarkprys vir ivoor in Viëtnam en China onrusbarende tekens is. Hy het die opmerkings in 'n verslag gemaak wat deel vorm van 'n reeks deur die Wêreldwye Inisiatief teen Transnasionale, Georganiseerde Misdaad (GI-…
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NAM_2021_09_Na virus kan stropers weer toeslaan_Republikein.pdf | 321.29 KB |
NAM_2021_09_After virus_poachers can strike again_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 320.52 KB |
Hoewel niemand nog in hegtenis geneem is in verband met die vier olifante wat vanjaar in Namibië gestroop is nie, toon Namibië oor die afgelope agt jaar 'n sterk afname in die stroping van dié bosreuse. Volgens syfers wat deur die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme bygehou word, blyk dit dat olifantstropery jaarliks verminder. Terwyl daar in 2016 tot bykans 101 olifante gestroop is, was dit in 2019 en 2020 onderskeidelik net 13 en 12 olifante.
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NAM_2021_07_Stryd teen olifantstropery werp vrugte af_Republikein.pdf | 337.07 KB |
NAM_2021_07_Fight against elephant poaching bears fruit_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 336.34 KB |
Twee mense is op Katima Mulilo en Kahenge met altesaam sewe olifanttande in hul besit betrap, terwyl nog twee mense gevang is toe hulle onderskeidelik luislangvelle en krokodilvelle van die hand wou sit.
Two people were caught on Katima Mulilo and Kahenge with a total of seven elephant tusks in their possession, while two more people were caught trying to dispose of python skins and crocodile skins respectively.
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NAM_2021-07_Stropers met sewe olifanttande gearresteer_Republikein.pdf | 177.53 KB |
NAM_2021_07_Poachers arrested with seven elephant tusks_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 176.34 KB |
The scaly creature is among the most-trafficked group of wild animals on earth. The small mammal, named after the Malaysian word 'penggulung', which means 'roller', is an endangered and relatively unknown species. Pangolins everywhere are relentlessly collected in the wild and trafficked to markets in Asia, where they are served as a delicacy in restaurants, and their scales are used in medicinal products. It's this consumption at end markets that drives the trade.
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NAM_2021-02_A moment to celebrate the secretive night crawler_The Namibian.pdf | 343.49 KB |
Sedert die begin van die jaar het boere in die Kalkfeld-, Omitara-, Witvlei- en Steinhausen-omgewing ’n gesamentlike verlies van meer as N$3,35 miljoen aan die diefstal van vee, wild en infrastruktuur gely. Die afgelope drie maande was die bloedigste en diewe het hier eiendom ter waarde van bykans N$1,1 miljoen weggedra. Sedert die begin van die jaar tot November, is in die Omitara-, Witvlei- en Steinhausen-omgewing verliese van meer as N$1,65 miljoen weens diefstal by die Nossob Misdaadvoorkomingsforum (NCPF) aangemeld. Die forum, wat noukeurig sedert sy ontstaan…
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NAM_2020_12_Boere steier onder misdaad_Republikein.pdf | 437.92 KB |
NAM_2020_12_Farmers Stumble Under Crime_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 384.73 KB |
Namibian conservation efforts have faced a number of major crises over the past half century.
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NAM_2020-11_Conservation in a crisis_The Namibian.pdf | 702.04 KB |
Namibia doesn't just do anti-poaching patrols to protect rhinos. A broad suite of initiatives is in place to combat wildlife crime. These include community participation, monitoring and surveillance, security infrastructure, multi-agency partnerships, private sector support, international collaboration and more. Yet foremost among them are superb law-enforcement mechanisms to find, arrest and prosecute perpetrators.
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NAM_2020-10_The data is clear_Dont poach rhinos you will get caught_The Namibian.pdf | 1.18 MB |
COVID-19 has had significant effects in Namibia, as it has in every other country on planet Earth. The Namibian tourism industry has been temporarily disrupted, which has halted the tourism income which usually upports conservation initiatives. One may expect this would result in an immediate surge in wildlife crime. This is not the case. In spite of the massive challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, Namibia has not experienced a spike in wildlife crime, as the number of registered cases is not higher than the same period last year.
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NAM_2020-09_Anti_poaching units active amid Covid_19_The Namibian.pdf | 586.09 KB |
For two decades after Namibia's independence, the country experienced minimal commercial poaching. Over the past 10 years this has rapidly changed. Wildlife crime has skyrocketed and Namibia has rallied to counter the surge. A high of 97 poached rhinos estimated for 2015 has been reduced to 45 in 2019.
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NAM_2020-08_Rhino poaching_not just an environmental crime_The Namibian.pdf | 450.16 KB |
The Rhino Files are periodic articles exploring the complexity of rhino conservation in Namibia. WHEN a rhino is poached, outraged environmentalists often call for the most severe measures of punishment, such as shooting the poachers on sight. Shooting poachers dead doesn't stop poaching. The poachers - usually rural Namibians with bush skills - are at the lowest rung on the criminal ladder.
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NAM_2020-08_The Rhino Files_ Punishing offenders_The Namibian.pdf | 690.5 KB |
"They just get out on bail and do it again" - this is a widespread public sentiment regarding crime in Namibia, and wildlife crime in particular. There are many misconceptions about law enforcement and the judiciary. Bail is just one of them. At the end of 2019, the number of suspects out on bail amounted to less than 20% for all crimes related to high-value wildlife (pangolin, elephant, rhinos).
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NAM_2020-07_Wildlife Crime and the Law_The Namibian.pdf | 985.42 KB |
In all, 11 nationals, including firearm suppliers, poachers and game vendors, were arrested last week in Luengue-Luiana National Park, Cuando Cubango province.
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ANG_2020-07_Dismantled poaching net and weapon snipers_Provinces_Jornal de Angola_Online.pdf | 244.75 KB |
The Rhino Files are periodic articles exploring the complexity of rhino conservation in Namibia. "We aim to detect criminal activity and arrest poachers before a rhino is killed." This might sound overly-ambitious, but Barry de Klerk knows it's possible. Operation Blue Rhino has made over 100 pre-emptive arrests in around 30 cases since its inception in mid-2018. Would-be poachers are being caught before they can kill a rhino. Pro-active law enforcement has saved dozens of animals.
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NAM_2020-7_The Rhino Files_The Three Pillars of Rhino Management_The Namibian.pdf | 419.58 KB |
It's important to know that it wasn't always like this – the government, local communities, NGOs, the private sector and international agencies have made a huge investment in rebuilding Namibian rhino populations from historic lows. The black rhino, a frugal browser of herbs and shrubs, was once distributed across most of what is today Namibia. It penetrated the Namib down to the coast along all larger ephemeral and perennial rivers. Its distribution extended from the Nama Karoo in the south to the broad-leaved woodlands and rivers of today's Zambezi region.
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NAM_2020-07_Understanding rhino conservation in Namibia_The Namibian.pdf | 548.51 KB |
The Rhino Files are periodic articles exploring the complexity of rhino conservation in Namibia.
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NAM_2020-06_The Rhino Files_ Rhino conservation during a pandemic_The Namibian.pdf | 597.64 KB |
The coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic has created a profound crisis for conservation efforts in eastern and southern Africa as a result of the sudden cessation of all international travel in a region where nature-based tourism and conservation are closely interdependent. The region’s unique wildlife populations and other natural assets — centered on spectacular landscapes such as the Serengeti and Okavango — underpin a multi-billion dollar 'wildlife…
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Mongaby_2020-05_From crisis to solutions for communities and African conservation_Mongaby.pdf | 1.42 MB |
Kelsey Prediger walks into the bush in the darkness of early evening. She is armed with only a small torch, telemetry equipment, a mobile phone and a belt pouch with small research tools. Although the grass is hip high in places, Kelsey appears unfazed by the possibility of encountering a snake, a leopard or another potentially dangerous creature.
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NAM_2020-03_Namibia Pangolins_What do we Actually Know_The Namibian.pdf | 449.47 KB |
The term 'poacher' is often used for anyone involved in wildlife crime. In reality, wildlife crime functions through a complex web of criminals, where the poachers – the people carrying out the illegal killing of an animal to initiate the trade in its parts – are at the lowest level.
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NAM_03_2020_Rhino poaching and the inside job_The Namibian.pdf | 570.97 KB |
Between 1 January and 31 December 2019, 155 suspects were arrested for being found in possession of pangolins or their parts, attempting to trade these, or aiding and abetting those charged with possession or trafficking. During the same year, law enforcement officers in Namibia confiscated 121 pangolins. About 60% of the pangolins were dead. Most of the animals seized alive could be rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
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NAM_2020-02_The plight of the Namibian pangolin_The Namibian.pdf | 574.51 KB |
Environmental crime has exploded worldwide in recent years. According to a report by INTERPOL and UNEP, environmental crime has increased at 2 to 3 times the rate of the global economy and is now the fourth-largest criminal sector after drug trafficking, counterfeit crimes and human trafficking. It is a massive problem, receiving massive attention. Similar trends are true for Namibia. Over the past decade, cases have skyrocketed from negligible to crisis levels - but over the past five years crime rates have been curbed through increasingly effective law enforcement.
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Powerful deterrents agains wildlife crime.pdf | 557.61 KB |
"Daar gaan nie ‘n aand verby waar daar nie iewers gestroop word nie. Ek kan nie voorbly nie, die ding ruk handuit. Dis ‘n bekommernis." Só sê mnr. Rickus Spangenberg van Windhoek K9 Academy, wat honde oplei om die spoor van vee- en wilddiewe te sny en hulle vas te trek.
"Not a night goes by where there is no poaching anywhere. I can not keep up, the thing gets out of hand. It's a concern." So says Mr. Rickus Spangenberg of Windhoek K9 Academy, who trains dogs to follow the tracks of livestock and game thieves and catch them.
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NAM_2021_07_Teenstropingseenhede kan nie voorbly_Republikein.pdf | 474.63 KB |
NAM_2021-07_Anti_poaching units can not stay ahead_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 398.88 KB |