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Namibian Wildlife Crimes article archive

This archive of published media articles about wildlife crime in Namibia aims to:

  • provide easy public access to published information and statistics
  • enable easy stakeholder access to articles
  • provide a comprehensive archive of wildlife crime reporting in Namibia

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.

Displaying results 201 - 250 of 536
Thursday, 19 November 2020
Smit E 2020. Five wildlife products seized.

A Namibian man who illegally hunted two warthogs and an impala was sentenced to five months in prison or a N$6 000 fine last week. According to the latest wildlife crime report, only two new cases of wildlife crime were reported between 8 November and 15 November. Two suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crime and five illegal wildlife products were seized. These were two warthog carcasses, an impala carcass and a lechwe carcass. At Kalkfeld, a Namibian man was arrested on 8 November for being in possession of two warthog carcasses and an impala carcass.

Thursday, 29 October 2020
2020. 'Pofeet' Babi pleit volgende week op klagte van omkopery.

Die selfverklaarde profeet Jackson Babi en ’n medebeskuldigde wat glo polisieondersoekbeamptes met N$13 000 probeer omkoop het, sal volgende week in die hof pleit.

The self-proclaimed prophet Jackson Babi and a co-accused who allegedly tried to bribe police investigators with N $ 13 000, will plead in court next week.

Wednesday, 28 October 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Eenjarige renosterkalf gestroop - Stompie verwyder.

’n Renosterverskalfie van slegs een jaar oud wat steeds aan haar ma gedrink het, is op ’n wildsplaas in die Gobabis-distrik gestroop.

A one-year-old rhino calf who was still drinking from her mother was poached on a game farm in the Gobabis district.

Wednesday, 28 October 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Poachers kill rhino calf.

A one-year-old white rhino calf has been killed by poachers on a farm in the Gobabis district. Farm owner Walter Kinnear says the calf’s tiny horn was removed by the poachers.

Thursday, 22 October 2020
Steynberg F 2020. China se rookskerm vir ietermagogs.

Vier maande gelede het Chinese staatsmedia aangekondig ietermagôskubbe is van tradisionele medisynelyste verwyder, maar navorsing weerspreek dat dié benadering in werklikheid toegepas word. Volgens ’n verslag getiteld “Smoke and Mirrors” van die Omgewingsondersoekagentskap (EIA) wat vandeesmaand gepubliseer is, word ietermagôprodukte steeds in tradisionele medisyne gebruik.

Wednesday, 21 October 2020
Smit E 2020. Seven apprehended for wildlife crimes.

At Opuwo, two Namibians were arrested on 13 October for being in possession of a pangolin. At Grootfontein, a Namibian, Raimo Kakongo, was arrested on 11 October on a charge of conspiring to poach a rhino. The case dates back to August this year. He has been charged with contravening the Riotous Assemblies Act. At Opuwo, two Namibians were arrested on 13 October for being in possession of a pangolin. Uaninazo Muheke and Mavetumbuavi Mutambo were charged with contravening the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act.

Wednesday, 14 October 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Angolees, ses Namibiërs kwes glo swartrenosterbul.

Een Angolese en ses Namibiese mans is verlede week by Mururani in verband met renosterstropery vasgetrek. Volgens die hoof van die Blue Rhino-taakspan, komm. Barry de Klerk, is ’n swartrenosterbul gekwes. "Weens die erge skietwonde moes 'n veearts ongelukkig die renoster uitsit," het De Klerk aan Republikein gesê.

Tuesday, 13 October 2020
Smit E 2020. 363 arrested for wildlife crimes in 2019.

Pangolins are the most poached and trafficked animal species in Namibia, crime statistics show. A total of 174 wildlife crime cases involving high-value species were registered last year and more than 360 suspects were arrested. According to the 2019/2020 annual progress report of the environment ministry, 92 of these cases related to pangolin, 54 related to elephants, 32 related to rhinos and 17 to conspiracy to poach rhinos.

Thursday, 8 October 2020
Smit E 2020. 14 caught for wildlife crimes.

Fourteen suspects have been arrested in connection with wildlife crimes and seven new cases have been registered. Three of the suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching or trafficking. According to the information provided by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment and tourism ministry and the protected resources unit within the safety and security ministry, 11 illegal wildlife products were seized.

Thursday, 8 October 2020
2020. Ligte strawwe vir wildmisdadigers.

Vier wildmisdadigers het ligte vonnisse in Namibiese howe gekry. ‘n Angolees John Emmanuel, ‘n Rwandese burger, Theogen Nkuruziza, en Namibiër Vilho Mwahafa is op 10 Desember 2018 met ‘n lewende ietermagô in hul besit op Otjiwarongo in hegtenis geneem. Die drie is skuldig bevind en op 21 September elk gevonnis tot ‘n boete van N$8 000 of 28 maande tronkstraf waarvan 1 jaar vir 60 maande opgeskort is. Hul Angolese medebeskuldigde, mnr. Albino Shipipes, is vrygespreek. Ietermagogs is die mees gesmokkelde soogdier ter wêreld.

Thursday, 8 October 2020
2020. Angolese, Zambiërs vas oor wildmisdaad.

Altesaam 14 vermeende wildmisdadigers is verlede week in hegtenis geneem en sewe nuwe sake is aanhangig gemaak.

A total of 14 suspected wildlife criminals were arrested last week and seven new cases were filed.

Thursday, 1 October 2020
Smit E 2020. Six arrested for wildlife crimes.

Six suspects have been arrested in connection with wildlife crimes and two new cases were registered last week. Three of the suspects were arrested for elephant poaching and one suspect was arrested for rhino poaching. According to information provided by the intelligence and investigation unit in the environment ministry and the protected resources unit in the safety and security ministry, three illegal wildlife products were confiscated. At Mukwe in the Kavango East Region, three Namibians were arrested on 22 September for being in possession of two elephant tusks.

Wednesday, 30 September 2020
2020. Drie mans vas oor twee olifanttande.

'n Angolese man en twee Namibiërs is verlede week glo met twee olifanttande in hul besit vasgetrek.

An Angolan man and two Namibians were allegedly caught with two elephant tusks in their possession last week.

Wednesday, 16 September 2020
Smit E 2020. New technology to help monitor rhinos.

After a study on black rhinos in Namibia, new software has been developed by researchers in the United States that could help conservationists keep a watchful eye on the black rhino. The interactive software was jointly developed by researchers at Duke University and analytics software specialist SAS and analyses the footprints left behind by black rhinos. This can be used to monitor their movements and enable conservationists to help keep the animals safe from poachers.

Tuesday, 15 September 2020
Steynberg F 2020. 19 vir wildmisdaad aangekla.

Altesaam 19 vermeende wildmisdadigers is verlede week in hegtenis geneem en aangekla.

A total of 19 suspected wildlife criminals were arrested and charged last week.

Monday, 14 September 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Renosterstropery: Drie bly in aanhouding.

Drie Namibiese mans wat glo ‘n renoster in die Etosha Nasionale Park wou stroop, bly in aanhouding nadat hulle vandag in die Outjo-landdroshof op vyf klagte verskyn het.

Three Namibian men who allegedly wanted to poach a rhino in the Etosha National Park remain in custody after appearing in the Outjo Magistrate's Court today on five charges.

Sunday, 13 September 2020
2020. Drie mans wou glo renoster in Etosha stroop.

Drie verdagtes wat glo ’n renoster in die Etosha Nasionale Park wou stroop, verskyn môre op verskeie klagte in die landdroshof op Kamanjab. Hulle is Donderdag tussen Kamanjab en die plaas Marinhohe in dié distrik vasgetrek.

Three suspects who allegedly wanted to poach a rhino in the Etosha National Park will appear in the Kamanjab Magistrate's Court tomorrow on various charges. They were caught on Thursday between Kamanjab and the farm Marinhohe in the district.

Thursday, 10 September 2020
2020. Vyf vas oor renosterkarkas en horings.

Drie Namibiese mans is verlede week in verband met renosterstropery en twee oor horingsmokkelary in hegtenis geneem. Volgens die weeklikste wildmisdaadverslag van 31 Augustus tot 6 September van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is altesaam tien vermeende wildmisdadigers in hegtenis geneem en ses nuwe sake aanhangig gemaak.

Thursday, 10 September 2020
Kamati E 2020. Poaching carnage at Randveld farm: Randveld, a farm between Otjiwarongo and Outjo, fell victim to a poaching spree on Sunday morning.

Three poachers brutally killed eight calves and mutilated six more on the farm Randveld of Jacques Swartz at around 02:00 on Sunday. The calves were attacked with spears and axes, and their intestines were ripped out. Swartz said he and a few watchmen were doing their night patrol - something they started doing regularly after a similar incident last month when four cattle were killed in a similar incident.

Wednesday, 9 September 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Renosterkarkas en -horing gekonfiskeer.

Drie Namibiese mans is verlede week in verband met renosterstropery en twee oor horingsmokkelary in hegtenis geneem.

Three Namibian men were arrested last week in connection with rhino poaching and two for rhino horn smuggling.

Wednesday, 9 September 2020
Smit E 2020. 155 wildlife products seized - At Okahao, a Namibian man was arrested on 31 August for being in possession of 142 pangolin scales.

More than 150 illegal wildlife products were seized last week and 10 suspects were arrested, while six new cases were registered. Five of the suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching or trafficking cases.

Tuesday, 1 September 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Zambiër vas met ivoor, 81 ietermagôskubbe.

’n Zambiese man, mnr. Tumone Biemba, is verlede week op Katima Mulilo glo met een olifanttand en 81 ietermagôskubbe vasgetrek.

A Zambian man, mr. Tumone Biemba, was allegedly caught on Katima Mulilo last week with one elephant tooth and 81 pangolin scales.

Saturday, 29 August 2020
2020. Renosterkarkasse by Etendeka gevind.

Twee renosterkarkasse is gister in die Etendeka-toerismekonsessie in die Kunenestreek gevind.

Two rhino carcasses were found in the Etendeka tourism concession in the Kunene region yesterday.

Friday, 28 August 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Renosterstropers’ bly in aanhouding.

89 ietermagôskubbe gekonfiskeer. Vier vermeende renosterstropers bly in aanhouding nadat hulle glo ’n witrenosterbul gestroop en ’n witrenosterkoei in die Grootfontein-distrik gekwes het.

89 pangolin scales confiscated. Four suspected rhino poachers remain in custody after they allegedly poached a white rhino bull and injured a white rhino cow in the Grootfontein district.

Tuesday, 25 August 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Vier vas oor renosterstropery.

Vier vermeende renosterstropers is verlede week by Grootfontein in hegtenis geneem nadat hulle glo ’n witrenosterbul gestroop en ’n witrenosterkoei gekwes het.

Four suspected rhino poachers were arrested at Grootfontein last week after they allegedly poached a white rhino bull and injured a white rhino cow.

Tuesday, 18 August 2020
Smit E 2020. Officials get 'teeth' to identify trafficked ivory.

A comprehensive new guide has been published to assist law enforcement agencies to identify trafficked ivory. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) secretariat, TRAFFIC and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have published the Identification Guide for Ivory and Ivory Substitutes. It is a comprehensive and accessible resource for identifying the most commonly found ivories and artificial substitutes used for trade.

Tuesday, 18 August 2020
2020. Jaggeweer, patrone glo by 'voornemende renosterstropers' gevind.

Vyf Namibiese mans is verlede week in verband met renosterstropery of horingsmokkelary of pogings daartoe in hegtenis geneem. Volgens die weeklikse wildmisdaadverslag vanaf 10 tot 16 Augustus van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is mnre. Petrus Johannes en David Ruben verlede Donderdag by Okahao in hegtenis geneem.

Sunday, 16 August 2020
2020. Lewende ietermagô in kamer gevind.

'n Lewende ietermagô is Vrydagaand in 'n kamer van 'n 29-jarige man in die Wanaheda-woonbuurt in die hoofstad gevind.

A live pangolin was found in a room of a 29-year-old man in the Wanaheda neighborhood in the capital on Friday night.

Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Smit E 2020. Python skins seized.

Six suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crimes and three new cases were opened recently, while seized products included python, leopard and pangolin skins.

Tuesday, 11 August 2020
2020. Training tomorrow's rhino rangers.

The Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has received a N$1.11 million donation from the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation to develop innovative ways to nurture reading skills among the youth and protect rhinos in the Kunene Region. The funds will be utilised for the rhino rangers programme, which supports rangers from local communities, but also the Rhino Pride Campaign.

Tuesday, 11 August 2020
2020. Twee met ivoor, velle vasgetrek.

Twee vermeende wildmisdadigers, mnr. Gabriel Kuutondokwa Nalitje en David Simon, is verlede Maandag in Windhoek glo met drie stukke ivoor en een elk luiperd- en ietermagôvel vasgetrek.

Two suspected wildlife criminals, Mr. Gabriel Kuutondokwa Nalitje and David Simon, were allegedly caught last Monday in Windhoek with three pieces of ivory and one each leopard and pangolin skin.

Friday, 7 August 2020
Smit E 2020. Pangolin traffickers nabbed.

In the first cooperation between US law enforcement and the Namibian police, four suspected pangolin traffickers were recently arrested in Namibia. According to a statement by the US embassy in Namibia, time-sensitive information was received by the Homeland Security Investigations office in Pretoria relating to the imminent illegal sale of a live pangolin.

Thursday, 6 August 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Amerika help met vastrek van 'ietermagôsmokkelaars'.

Samewerking tussen Amerikaanse wetstoepassers en die Namibiese polisie (Nampol) het gelei tot die inhegtenisneming van vier vermeende ietermagôsmokkelaars.

Cooperation between US law enforcers and the Namibian police (Nampol) has led to the arrest of four suspected pangolin smugglers.

Thursday, 6 August 2020
2020. Lewende ietermagô, luiperdvelle gekonfiskeer.

Beslag is verlede week op een lewende ietermagô, een leeu- en drie luiperdvelle gelê. Volgens die wildmisdaadverslag vanaf 27 Julie tot 2 Augustus van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is altesaam agt verdagtes in hegtenis geneem en drie sake aanhangig gemaak.

Thursday, 6 August 2020
Smit E 2020. N$5.5m for wildlife protection.

The Game Product Trust Fund (GPTF) has become increasingly important in protecting wildlife due to a lack of funding from government. The GPTF has committed funding of more than N$5.58 million to several activities in the environment and tourism sector during the 2018/19 financial year. This information is contained in the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia 2018/19 annual report that has just been made public. "The GPTF's role has become more important than ever. It has stepped in and filled the void that has been left by a lack of funding from the government.

Wednesday, 5 August 2020
Smit E 2020. Eight arrested for wildlife crimes.

Eight suspects were arrested last week in connection with wildlife crimes. These suspects were arrested in three separate cases and a total of five illegal wildlife products were seized, which included a lion skin, three leopard skins and a live pangolin.

Wednesday, 5 August 2020
2020. Vyf gemsbokke in Namib-Naukluft gestroop.

Vier Namibiese mans het Maandag in die Walvisbaai-landdroshof verskyn nadat hulle die naweek glo vyf gemsbokke onwettig in die Namib-Naufkluftpark gejag het.

Four Namibian men appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court on Monday after they allegedly hunted five gemsboks illegally in the Namib-Naufkluft Park over the weekend.

Tuesday, 4 August 2020
2020. Een leeu-, drie leeuperdvelle gekonfiskeer.

Beslag is verlede week op een lewende ietermagô, een leeu- en drie luiperdvelle gelê. Volgens die wildmisdaadverslag vanaf 27 Julie tot 2 Augustus van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is altesaam agt verdagtes in hegtenis geneem en drie sake aanhangig gemaak.

Tuesday, 4 August 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Namibië tweede beste in wildbewaring.

Namibië is as die tweede beste land in wildbewaring op die Megafauna Conservation Index (MCI) aangewys. Buurland Botswana is as die wenner uit 152 lande gekroon.

Namibia was named the second best country in wildlife conservation on the Megafauna Conservation Index (MCI). Neighboring Botswana was crowned the winner from 152 countries.

Thursday, 30 July 2020
2020. Drie vas oor horings, ivoor.

Volgens die weeklikse wildmisdaadverslag vanaf 20 tot 26 Julie van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die ­omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is twee ­verdagtes in verband met renosterstropery of horingsmokkelary in hegtenis geneem. Mnre. Murumbua Vetjesavi en Richard Kandjii is by Otjondjeka in ­hegtenis geneem en beslag is op twee renosterhorings en 'n voertuig gelê.

Wednesday, 29 July 2020
Smit E 2020. 13 arrested for wildlife crimes.

Thirteen suspects have been arrested for wildlife crimes and six new cases were opened within the past two weeks. A total of 19 illegal wildlife products were confiscated in these crimes, according to information provided by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resource division within the safety and security ministry. Five vehicles were also seized.

Tuesday, 28 July 2020
2020. Drie vas oor renosterhorings, ivoor.

Een verdagte, mnr. Matheus Mukoya Katjire, is verlede Woensdag op Divundu in verband met olifantstropery of ivoorsmokkelary vasgetrek en twee olifanttande is gekonfiskeer.

A suspect, Mr. Matheus Mukoya Katjire, was arrested last Wednesday on Divundu in connection with elephant poaching or ivory smuggling and two elephant tusks were confiscated.

Tuesday, 28 July 2020
Steynberg F 2020. 'Horingsmokkelaar' by Vioolsdrif-grenspos vas.

'n Man met dubbele burgerskap en twee identiteite wat met die rooftog van 33 renosterhorings uit 'n kluis in 'n huis op Outjo in September 2019 verbind word, is in Februarie by die Suid-Afrikaanse grenspos, Vioolsdrift, met twee renosterhorings vasgetrek.

A man with dual citizenship and two identities connected to the robbery of 33 rhino horns from a safe in a house on Outjo in September 2019, was arrested at the South African border post, Vioolsdrift, in February with two rhino horns.

Monday, 27 July 2020
Smit E 2020. Securing a poaching scene.

Intelligence Support Against Poaching (ISAP) recently held a course on how to handle a poaching scene correctly. The animal crime scene and evidence handling course took place from 16 to 19 July, and was presented by Wildlife Vets Namibia. Participants included veterinarians, lodge managers, wildlife farmers, members of crime prevention forums, hunting farm owners, students and representatives of the tourism industry.

Friday, 24 July 2020
Smit E 2020. 10 arrested for wildlife crimes.

Ten suspects were arrested recently in connection with wildlife crimes and four new cases have been registered. Seven of the suspects were arrested for elephant poaching or trafficking cases, while another suspect was arrested in connection with a rhino poaching case.

Thursday, 23 July 2020
Smit E 2020. Namibia's trade in live elephants 2nd in Africa.

“The Mexico case showed a discrepancy between the exporter and importer data – Namibia registered an export of nine elephants while Mexico claimed it received 18. Interestingly, the exports were conducted under an Appendix I listing, even though elephants in Namibia are listed in Appendix II.” It was pointed out in the report that the annotation for the Appendix II listing specifies that trade in live elephants from Namibia is strictly for “in situ conservation programmes”, meaning no live elephants may be exported beyond their natural range.

Wednesday, 22 July 2020
Smit E 2020. 10 vas vir wildmisdaad.

Tien verdagtes is in hegtenis geneem in verband met wildmisdaad en vier nuwe sake is aanhangig gemaak. Sewe van die verdagtes is in hegtenis geneem vir olifantstropery of -handel, terwyl ’n ander verdagte gearresteer is in verband met renosterstropery.

Ten suspects have been arrested in connection with game crime and four new cases have been filed. Seven of the suspects were arrested for elephant poaching or trafficking, while another suspect was arrested in connection with rhino poaching.

Sunday, 19 July 2020
2020. Twee mans vas oor ietermagôvel.

Twee Namibiese mans is Saterdag omstreeks 11:00 op Omaruru glo met 'n ietermagôvel in hul besit vasgetrek.

Two Namibian men were allegedly caught with a pangolin skin in their possession on Omaruru at around 11:00 on Saturday.

Thursday, 16 July 2020
Smit E 2020. Demand for ivory, rhino horn drops.

Annual illicit income generated from ivory and rhino horn trafficking between 2016 and 2018 was estimated at US$400 million and US$230 million respectively. The illegal global trade in ivory and rhino horn has declined, while trafficking of pangolins has soared, according to a United Nations report based on four years of data.

Wednesday, 15 July 2020
Smit E 2020. Hefty fines for pangolin smuggling.

Two new cases of wildlife crime were reported last week and three suspects were arrested, while two men found guilty of the illegal possession of a live pangolin were fined N$20 000 or 48 months in prison. Four illegal wildlife products were also seized, which included one elephant tail and three live tortoises.

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