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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 1 - 12 of 12
Saturday, 16 December 2023
Viljoen B 2023. Alleged rhino poaching kingpin Big Joe granted bail.

An alleged rhino poacher who has been in custody for the past six months was granted bail last week.

Tuesday, 31 October 2023
2023. Graphic photos: Rhinos shot and killed on Limpopo farm.

Another two rhinos have paid the ultimate price as a result of ongoing poaching.The circumstances surrounding the poaching of two rhinos on a Limpopo farm are being investigated by the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit. Rooiberg police, in the Waterberg District, have launched a manhunt for unknown perpetrators involved in the poaching of two rhinos on Pomo Estate.

Wednesday, 27 September 2023
2023. Self-styled prophet arrested for python skin.

Policw in Harare on Sunday arrested a self-styled prophet for possessing a three-metre long python skin.

Friday, 25 August 2023
Mojela A 2023. Female pangolin and baby rescued from poachers in the Northern Cape.

A mission to rescue a pangolin confiscated in Kuruman in the Northern Cape led to a Limpopo foundation sponsoring a flight to the Northern Cape to have it treated at Provet Animal Hospital in Hoedspruit. Provet Animal Hospital said on Facebook that a female Temminck’s ground pangolin was confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade and upon assessment, the veterinarian in Kuruman discovered that she was clutching a newborn pup, a little male, still wrapped in the afterbirth.

Thursday, 21 July 2022
2022. Zimbabwean, foreigner nabbed over elephant tusks.

Two men have been arrested in Bulawayo after they were found in possession of 20,5 kilogrammes of elephant tusks.

Thursday, 30 June 2022
2022. Duo arrested for poaching impalas.

Police arrested two men in Chiredzi for poaching impalas and recovered three carcasses during investigations. In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said it had also recovered poaching paraphernalia such as knives and a hunting torch. On June 28, police in Chiredzi arrested Passmore Mashava (26) and Shepherd Madzore (30) in connection with poaching of three impalas.

Friday, 8 April 2022
2022. Trio nabbed for pangolins.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested three men from Chipinge for suspected unlawful possession of two live pangolins.

Thursday, 10 February 2022
2022. Manhunt for rhino poacher.

Police have launched a manhunt for a suspected poacher after a rhino carcass was discovered with a bullet in its forehead in Matobo, Matabeleland South province, on Monday. In a statement on Wednesday, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations are underway. "The ZRP is investigating a case of poaching of protected animals, where a Black Rhino carcass with horns missing was found at Makotama Resettlements, Matobo, on February 7, 2022".

Tuesday, 8 February 2022
2022. Three in court for pangolin possession.

Three men who were allegedly found in possession of a pangolin worth US$5 000 appeared before a Harare magistrate on Friday facing charges of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act (Chapter 20:14). Munashe Maposa (23), Oswell Chingwara (21) and Vincent Sigauke (23) of Chipinge were denied bail and remanded to February 18 for bail application. Prosecutor Ms Ruvimbo Matyatya said on February 3, at around 6am, detectives from the CID Minerals Flaura and Fauna Unit received information that a male adult was selling a live pangolin along George Silundika Street in Harare.

Saturday, 4 December 2021
Makanyanga D 2021. Chinese fugitive arrested in UAE.

One of the seven Chinese nationals who slipped out of the country while on bail after being arraigned on charges of money laundering and possession of more than 20 kilogrammes of rhino horns has been arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) in the United Arab Emirates after spending over two years on the run.

Sunday, 21 November 2021
2021. All hands on deck against rhino poaching.

In the past three years, gun battles between rhino poachers and the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) rangers have killed about 20 people. Wildlife economists say a country like Zimbabwe, which has a large rhino population, needs to continue to remain alert as the endangered species to be under threat from poachers. According to America-based wildlife organisation, World Animal Foundation, the rhino horn is estimated at US$65 000 per kg, which is more than the value of gold or diamonds.

Monday, 13 April 2020
Towindo L 2020. Elephant poaching and illicit financial flows.

According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), 322 elephants were killed by poachers between 2016 and 2019, largely for their tusks. These are then shipped out to Asia, via South Africa, but the real number may be much higher, according to wildlife groups. Much of the poaching occurs in northern Zimbabwe in game reserves straddling the border with Zambia, according to ZimParks, a statutory body responsible for managing the country’s wildlife population.

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