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.
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The Middelburg K9 Unit spotted a suspect Toyota Quantum on the highway and after bringing the vehicle to a halt, conducted a spot search. When the engine bonnet was opened, K9 members discovered two large object wrapped in plastic. Upon closer inspection, the two horns were discovered. The driver, whose identity is known to Middelburg Observer, but who has not appeared in court, was arrested and booked into custody on charges of possession of rhino horns.
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SA_2022_10_K9 patrol unit makes R8 million rhino horn bust on N4_Middelburg Observer.pdf | 405.04 KB |
Poisons like cyanide can be a deadly weapon for poachers, allowing them to kill dozens of animals without needing access to firearms or the backing of criminal syndicates. Wildlife poisoning is on the rise across Africa, targeting elephants as well as pushing endangered vultures toward extinction. A new study says Zimbabwe, which a decade ago witnessed some of the deadliest mass poisonings of elephants, has developed a sound basis for curbing poisonings by tightening laws to criminalize intent to use poison to kill wildlife.
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ZIM_2022_09_As poachers poison wildlife Zimbabwe finds an antidote in tougher laws_Mongaby.pdf | 930.59 KB |
Well-heeled businessmen are allegedly driving the trade in poached rhino horn in Namibia, using marginal communities as foot soldiers, an amaBhungane/The Namibian investigation has revealed. The role of local entrepreneurs in the horn trade has not previously been highlighted. The popular perception in Namibia is that Chinese nationals are the kingpins in charge of the trade.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta yesterday said the Chinese government's ban on trade in ivory will only make the black market for rhino horns and elephant tusks more lucrative.
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NAM_2018-01_Ivory ban will boost illegal trade_Shifeta_The Namibian.pdf | 379.37 KB |
Police are investigating an employee of a multinational courier company for attempting to smuggle rhino horns through Eros airport, police spokesperson, commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi said yesterday.
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NAM_2017-05_Courier worker suspected in rhino horn smuggling_The Namibian.pdf | 249.22 KB |
The police this week arrested two Zambians and two Namibians in the Zambezi region after they were found with elephant tusks and rhino horns.
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NAM_2017-03_Four arrested over Zambezi poaching_The Namibian.pdf | 191.68 KB |
Another two Chinese nationals caught in possession of rhino horns last Thursday will appear in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court today.
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NAM_2017-01_Two more Chinese in court over rhino horns_The Namibian.pdf | 353.82 KB |
The Chinese embassy in Namibia said it will not allow a few of its nationals who have been arrested in connection with poaching to tarnish their country's image.
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NAM_2016-12_Criminal Chinese tarnishing name_The Namibian.pdf | 466.32 KB |
Environment and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta is concerned about the increasing poaching and illegal trafficking of wildlife products. He told visiting Interpol secretary general Jurgen Stock in Windhoek on Tuesday that Namibia could use more help and support from the international community to end the poaching and trafficking of wildlife products.
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NAM_2016-03_Poaching an international concern_The Namibian.pdf | 982.12 KB |
Depity fisheries minister Chief Samuel Ankama says the only way to combat poaching is by apprehending the end-users, who keep the market alive.
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NAM_2016-03_Arrest buyers of poached products_The Namibian.pdf | 208.97 KB |
Over 72 elephants were poached in the Caprivi Region last year alone while six cases have been reported so far this year.
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NAM_2013-07_Elephant poaching a concern_The Namibian.pdf | 202.39 KB |