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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Suspicious accounts amounting to N$329 million were halted by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) last year in the ongoing battle against money laundering. The possible offences that were identified during the analyses of the reports included corruption, fraud, tax evasion, contravention of exchange control regulations, rhino poaching, theft, diamond smuggling, illegal scams and illegal casino gambling.
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NAM_2015-04_Smuggling poaching feed money laundering_Namibian Sun.pdf | 76.75 KB |
The escalation of rhino and elephant poaching in Namibia continues unabated, with yet another case reported at the weekend. This follows the discovery of an elephant carcass in a village located in the Bwabwata National Park in the Kavango East Region.
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NAM_2015-04-Elephant rhino poaching continues unabated_Namibian Sun.pdf | 60.42 KB |
While several new cases of rhino poaching have been discovered in Namibia the new Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, says he will not tolerate complacency from staff members, especially in areas where repeated poaching is happening. Five rhino carcases were discovered about two weeks ago during a rhino dehorning exercise in the Kunene Region. Four of these rhinos had been poached, the ministry confirmed. The rhinos were presumably shot last year already and the carcasses were found in the area of Omatendeka.
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NAM_2015-04_Honeymoon over for poachers_Shifeta_Namibian Sun.pdf | 76.95 KB |
The new Minister of Environment and Tourism says he will prioritise anti-poaching initiatives, including extra security measures at the Etosha National Park, which has seen four cases of rhino poaching recently. In the latest poaching incident, the carcass of a young rhino bull was discovered at the Dolomite waterhole in Etosha this past Friday. The rhino’s horns were still intact and it had been shot three times. Police are still investigating the case and there are currently no suspects.
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NAM_2015-03_New anti_poaching measures for Etosha_Namibian Sun.pdf | 108.09 KB |
A parliamentary standing committee has urged the ministries of Justice and Home Affairs to initiate an extradition agreement with the government of Angola to combat cross-border wildlife crimes effectively. Poaching has become a serious problem in Namibia, particularly in the Kunene Region, where poachers appear to operate with impunity. The Kunene Region borders southern Angola. So far this year, 14 rhino carcasses and 33 elephant carcasses have been found in Namibia.
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NAM_2015-03_Namibia_Angola should join forces against poachers_Namibian Sun.pdf | 91.88 KB |
The trial of three Chinese men, who were arrested with 14 rhino horns at Hosea Kutako International Airport last year, will start in June. The case has been postponed to June 25 and 26 for plea and trial in the Windhoek Regional Court in Katutura. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin were caught with 14 rhino horns valued at N$2.3 million, as well as a leopard skin valued at N$50 000, in their luggage on March 23 last year. The three Chinese nationals have maintained that they did not know what was in their suitcases.
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NAM_2015-02_Rhino horn trial to begin in June_Namibian Sun.pdf | 84.7 KB |
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism says although it does not have any hand in the internal investigation at the Save the Rhino Trust (SRT), it may launch its own probe into the matter. The Save the Rhino Trust confirmed this week that an internal investigation had been commissioned last year after several “concerns” were brought to their attention with regard to an alleged conspiracy between SRT members and poachers. The Kunene Region has been the hardest hit when it comes to rhino poaching in Namibia.
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NAM_2015-01_Tourism Ministry may also investigate SRT_Namibian Sun.pdf | 90.51 KB |
Namibia’s Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has launched an internal investigation in response to allegations that some of its staff members have been involved in the escalating rhino poaching that has hit the Kunene Region. Most of the 24 rhinos poached last year were black rhino from the Kunene Region and allegations have surfaced pointing at a conspiracy between SRT rangers and poachers. The SRT yesterday confirmed in a statement that an internal investigation was launched last year after several “concerns” were brought to their attention.
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NAM_2015-01_Rhino Trust probes staff poaching rumours_Namibian Sun.pdf | 101.52 KB |
The case of three Chinese men accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns worth about N$2.3 million out of Namibia has been transferred to the Windhoek Regional Court in Katutura for plea and trial. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin were caught with the rhino horns, as well as a leopard skin valued about N$50 000, stashed in their luggage at the Hosea Kutako International Airport on March 23.
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NAM_2014-12_Chinese rhino case transferred to regional court_Namibian Sun.pdf | 82.23 KB |
The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Uahekua Herunga, has warned Namibians who are collaborating with international poaching syndicates that they must stop with this illegal practice or face the consequences. Namibia is in the process of establishing an anti-poaching unit and Herunga stressed the urgency of getting this unit up and running as soon as possible. He said the country experienced a spill-over of poaching from South Africa, where large numbers of rhinos and elephants have been killed in the past two years.
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NAM_2014-12_Dont collaborate with poachers_Namibian Sun.pdf | 79.95 KB |
Another two poached rhino carcasses have been discovered in the Etosha National Park, following an intensified two-week operation to reduce the escalating poaching problem in Namibia. Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi yesterday confirmed they are hot on the heels of the suspects and arrests are expected soon. The latest incidents bring the numbers of poached rhinos for the year to 20. This is double the number of rhino poaching incidents recorded between 2005 and the end of last year, when Namibia had lost fewer than 10 animals.
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NAM_2014-11_Two more Rhinos poached in Etosha_Namibian Sun.pdf | 109.07 KB |
There was confusion yesterday about a reported rhino poaching in the Kunene Region, which could not be confirmed by the authorities. News of the incident spread like wildfire on social media - first it was reported that four rhinos were killed, then six, and then apparently none. Some said that the carcasses were found at Palmwag Lodge yesterday morning. Neither the police nor the Ministry of Environment of Tourism was able to confirm that.
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NAM_2014-11_Confusion over poaching incident_Namibian Sun.pdf | 48.13 KB |
Three more rhino carcasses have been found in the Kunene Region while the Ministry of Environment and Tourism continues with its rhino dehorning programme. The total number of rhino carcasses that have been found in Namibia this year stands at 18.
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NAM_2014-11_Poachers kill 3 rhinos in Kunene_Namibian Sun.pdf | 47.88 KB |
A black rhino has been killed and dehorned in the Etosha National Park, the first confirmed poaching incident in a national park this year. Minister of Environment and Tourism, Uahekua Herunga, yesterday confirmed that the carcass was found with 10 gunshot wounds and that the horn was removed. He said the ministry was alerted on Tuesday and currently there is not much information, as investigations are still ongoing at the scene. The rhino carcass was discovered in the southwest part of Etosha on Tuesday with its horn hacked off.
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NAM_2014-10_First black rhino poached in Etosha this year_Namibian Sun.pdf | 97.01 KB |
A Windhoek magistrate yesterday warned the prosecution not to paint a picture of laxity in the country's courtrooms and to expedite matters in courts. Magistrate Johannes Shuuveni was speaking at the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in Katutura when the State asked for another postponement in the case of three Chinese men accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns worth more than N$2 million out of Namibia.
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NAM_2014-10_No slackness in Namibian courts says magistrate_Namibian Sun.pdf | 79.9 KB |
The Land of the Brave has been named the second best destination to visit in the world in 2015 by the prominent global travel company, Lonely Planet. Singapore was announced the world's number one country to travel to next year. Lonely Planet made specific mention that Namibia is celebrating 25 years of independence next year and the country has made groundbreaking progress in sustainable development. According to the travel company, Namibia was the first African country to include protection of its environment in its constitution. Namibia empowers local communities to contribute…
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NAM_2014-10_Namibia is worlds second best destinatio_Namibian Sun.pdf | 75.17 KB |
The three Chinese nationals who stand accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of Namibia have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case has in the meantime been referred to the office of the Prosecutor-General for a decision. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in Katutura yesterday on charges of possession and export of controlled wildlife products.
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NAM_2014-10_Chinese rhino suspects plead not guilty_Namibian Sun.pdf | 73.36 KB |
A South African poaching kingpin linked to the killing of more than 22 rhinos valued at nearly N$22 million was rearrested shortly after a court appearance on earlier poaching charges in which a co-accused has been linked to Namibia. In the latest case, it has emerged that the same tranquilliser was used in a rhino killing spree for which professional hunter and game farmer Hugo Ras and two veterinarians were arrested more than two years ago.
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NAM_2014-09_Namibian links to SA rhino mafia_Namibian Sun.pdf | 91.76 KB |
The case against three Chinese nationals - accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns valued at N$2 million out of Namibia - has been postponed for further investigations and the possible adding further charges. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin have been charged with the possession and export of controlled wildlife products, after they were allegedly caught with the 14 rhino horns and a leopard skin in their suitcases at the Hosea Kutako International Airport on March 23.
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NAM_2014-09_More charges may follow in rhino horn case_Namibian Sun.pdf | 76.85 KB |
International policing agency Interpol has joined hands with Namibia in its fight against escalating rhino and elephant poaching, including through teaching advanced crime scene investigation, probing transnational linkages and uncovering who the kingpins of the wild crime syndicates are. In what is a first for Namibia the Interpol Sub-directorate on Environment Crime has stepped in to train Namibian police officers, particularly members of the Protective Resources Unit, and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
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NAM_2014-09_Interpol joins Namibias anti-poaching war_Namibian Sun.pdf | 95.84 KB |
A new front has been opened in the battle against wildlife crime - a WikiLeaks-type website where people can report poaching and other activities to seasoned experts for investigation. The website known as WildLeaks has already received up 50 tip-offs in the last seven months from African countries such as Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Liberia, Malawi and Zambia.
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NAM_2014-09_Anti-poaching battle taken to the net_Namibian Sun.pdf | 86.88 KB |
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism yesterday confirmed that 33 elephants have been poached in Namibia this year. In the most recent case, two suspects were arrested in the Divundu area of the Kavango East Region on Friday. They were arrested when they tried to sell elephant bone as ivory to unsuspecting people.
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NAM_2014-09_Elephant poaching escalates_Namibian Sun.pdf | 47.83 KB |
More evidence has been discovered in the case in which three Chinese men were arrested in March, allegedly with 14 rhino horns, and this may lead to more arrests. The three Chinese nationals are accused of trying to smuggle the rhino horns worth more than N$2 million out of Namibia. They have appointed new legal representation for after they were refused bail in May.
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NAM_2014-08_More arrests expected in rhino horn case_Namibian Sun.pdf | 80.87 KB |
Another case of rhino poaching has been discovered in the Kunene Region. An old carcass of a rhino was found on Sunday in the area of Etendeka. The discovery came barely a week after the skull of a rhino that had been poached was found in the same area.
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NAM_2014-07_Another rhino killing discovered in Kunene_Namibian Sun.pdf | 49.25 KB |
The escalation of rhino and elephant poaching in Namibia will have a devastating impact on the country's tourism industry if it continues unabated. Experts in the tourism industry told Namibian Sun that the impact Namibia will experience in the short and long term will include a drop in tourist arrivals, job losses in the sector and revenue loss. The country's reputation will be harmed and it may even hold political risk for government if the recent surge of poaching is not addressed.
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NAM_2014-07_Poaching will hit tourism industry hard_Namibian Sun.pdf | 245.75 KB |
Another case of rhino poaching has been discovered in the Kunene Region and is being investigated by the police. A spokesperson for the police, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi, yesterday confirmed that a rhino carcass was discovered on July 17 at Etendeka in the Sesfontein area. Members of the Save the Rhino Trust discovered the carcass during a routine patrol at Otjijapa village. Upon closer inspection of the skull it was found that the rhino had been dehorned.
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NAM_2014-07_Rhino carcass discovered in Kunene_Namibian Sun.pdf | 49.31 KB |
The Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) has embarked on a community advocacy campaign focusing specifically on conservancies in the Palmwag Concession area that are most affected by the escalation in black rhino poaching. The project coordinator of the Legal Assistance Centre, Willem Odendaal, said the Conservation Support Project stems from recommendations made during a stakeholder workshop on wildlife crime held in May this year. Odendaal made the remarks when the Pupkewitz Foundation donated a Toyota Land Cruiser to the Legal Assistance Centre.
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NAM_2014-07_LAC gets involved in fighting poaching_Namibian Sun.pdf | 91.66 KB |
Poachers have struck a horrible blow in the Uukwaluundhi Conservancy, located in the Omusati Region, by killing four black rhino and wounding three others. The rhino carcasses were discovered last Thursday when the newly established association aiming to protect rhinos in Namibia, HoRN.nam, was called in to assist in tracking rhino in the conservancy. According Jaco Muller from HoRN.nam, he was contacted by the concession holder of the conservancy Wouter Smit, who expressed concern over the fact that their rhino have "not been seen much lately".
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NAM_2014-06_Four black rhino killed by poachers _ Namibian Sun.pdf | 115.42 KB |
As rhino poaching in Namibia is increasing dramatically, concerned rhino owners yesterday gathered at Okahandja to launch a new organisation focusing on the protection of the rhino. However, debate was sparked about the government’s involvement and the legalisation of trading in rhino horn. One of the issues raised by rhino owners was the fact that the organisation was not driven by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and that there seemed to be a lack of involvement from the ministry's side.
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NAM_2014-06_Rhino owners blame lack of political will_Namibian Sun.pdf | 79.46 KB |
The three Chinese nationals accused of trying to smuggle rhino horns worth more than N$2 million out of Namibia have been denied bail. They were remanded in custody and their case was postponed until August 6 for further investigation. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on charges of the possession and export of controlled wildlife products.
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NAM_2014-05_No bail for Chinese smuggling suspects_Namibian Sun.pdf | 84.29 KB |
Two more rhinos have been killed in the Kunene Region, bringing to five the number of rhinos poached in Namibia so far this year. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has described the spate of poaching in the country as barbaric and says the country is ready to confront anybody caught poaching and that they will face the full wrath of the law. This comes while a group of about 60 people yesterday gathered at the Zoo Park in Windhoek to protest against bail being granted to three Chinese men who were caught in March this year with 14 rhino horns in their luggage.
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NAM_2014-05_Two more rhinos poached at Palmwag-Namibian Sun.pdf | 114.1 KB |
The head of the Namibia Protective Resource Unit says there is evidence that the three Chinese men arrested for trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of the country are part of a much larger international syndicate. Detective Chief Inspector Barry de Klerk also testified last Friday during the bail hearing of the three accused that a Chinese investigator will arrive in Namibia within the next few weeks to assist with investigations.
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NAM_2014-05_Rhino horn smuggling syndicate targets Namibia_Namibian Sun.pdf | 106.39 KB |
The 14 rhino horns, valued at N$2.3 million and which were confiscated from three Chinese nationals recently, were poached in Namibia. This was confirmed at the bail hearing Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin last week, when they appeared on charges of possessing and attempting to export controlled wildlife products. They were allegedly caught with the rhino horns, as well as a leopard skin valued at N$50 000, in their luggage on 23 March at Hosea Kutako International Airport.
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NAM_2014-05_Chinese rhino horn suspects in bail bid_Namibian Sun.pdf | 75.28 KB |
The bail hearing of the three Chinese men who were arrested at the Hosea Kutako International Airport for trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of the country has been postponed until May 8. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin appeared on charges of possession and the export of controlled wildlife products.
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NAM_2014-04_Chinese bail hearing postponed_Namibian Sun.pdf | 86.18 KB |
Another rhino has been poached, this time in the Kunene Region. According to Nampol spokesperson Edwin Kanguatjivi, members of Save the Rhino Trust discovered the carcass of a black rhino near Palmwag Lodge last week Monday. He said that the carcass was discovered with both horns removed, and on closer inspection it was found that the rhino had been shot. According to him the carcass of the rhino had been lying there for approximately three to four weeks before it was found. No arrests or recovery of the horns have been made.
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NAM_2014-04_Another rhino poached in Kunene _Namibian Sun.pdf | 50.58 KB |
While the number of cases of rhino poaching in Namibia seem to be escalating, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism chooses to stay mum on the situation. Another two cases of rhino poaching were discovered on a farm just outside Windhoek on Tuesday. Yesterday, in another poaching case, three Chinese men made another court appearance in Windhoek for allegedly trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of Namibia.
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NAM_2014-04_More rhino poaching discovered in Namibia_Namibian Sun.pdf | 84.46 KB |
A team has recovered the last of the four rhino that escaped from a truck that overturned in the //Karas Region this past Saturday The truck was transporting five rhino from South Africa to Namibia, destined for a farm near Outjo. According to Deputy Commissioner Johannes Tsuseb, the truck overturned at 06:50 on Saturday about 60 km from Keetmanshoop to Tses. He said the right front wheel of the truck had burst. The driver then lost control, because he could not handle the heavy load.
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NAM_2014-05_Rhino recaptured after accident escape_Namibian Sun.pdf | 47.52 KB |
The three Chinese nationals who were arrested at the Hosea Kutako National Airport for trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of the country have been refused bail. The Chinese men appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court just before 17:00 on Tuesday. One of the men claimed that he had nothing to do with the crime and should be allowed out on bail. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin are charged with the possession and export of controlled wildlife products. The three were caught at the Hosea Kutako Airport on Monday morning with 14 rhino horns and a leopard skin in their…
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NAM_2014-03_No bail for Chinese rhino horn suspects_Namibian Sun.pdf | 84.56 KB |
The three Chinese nationals who were arrested at the Hosea Kutako National Airport for trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of the country have been refused bail. The Chinese men appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court just before 17:00 on Tuesday. One of the men claimed that he had nothing to do with the crime and should be allowed out on bail. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin are charged with the possession and export of controlled wildlife products. The three were caught at the Hosea Kutako Airport on Monday morning with 14 rhino horns and a leopard skin in their…
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NAM_2014-03_No bail for Chinese rhino horn suspects_Namibian Sun_0.pdf | 84.56 KB |
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NAM_2014-03_Chinese arrested for rhino horns_Namibian Sun.pdf | 77.16 KB |
Two men on trial for allegedly selling a rhino horn to an undercover police officer have applied to have their bail conditions relaxed. Arvo Johannes Mutefi, 40, and Andreas Panduleni Naholo are out on bail of N$7 000 each. One of their bail conditions is that they must report to the Windhoek or Oshakati police stations every Monday and Friday. They want this condition removed.
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NAM_2013-05_Rhino horn suspects want bail relaxed_Namibian Sun.pdf | 76.25 KB |
A summons has been issued and forwarded to the Namibian Police for the return of service, to ensure that Chinese businessman Hou Xue Cheng and his co-accused answer to the criminal charges.
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NAM_2022_09_Probe into chinese businessmans mislaid docket_Namibian Sun.pdf | 548.44 KB |
The environment ministry has condemned the involvement of law enforcement officers in wildlife crimes after a police officer and a member of the Namibian Defence Force were arrested for the possession of rhino horns last week. Four rhinos and one elephant have been poached this year to date. The four rhinos are all white rhinos poached on private farms while the elephant was poached in a conservancy in the Otjozondjupa Region, says Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson of the environment ministry
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NAM_2021_06_Cop_soldier arrested with rhino horns_Namibian Sun.pdf | 401.91 KB |
Less than 8% of suspects arrested in connection with wildlife crimes of high-valued species last year have been convicted. Only 23 suspects out of 304 arrested last year for rhino, elephant and pangolin wildlife crimes have been convicted thus far. A total of 1 055 suspects have been arrested in connection with wildlife crime cases since the beginning of last year to 31 July.
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NAM_2021_08_Less than 8 percent of wildlife crimes convicted_Namibian Sun.pdf | 304.86 KB |
At Oshikango, two Namibians and two Angolans were arrested on 9 November when they were found with three pangolin skins. In another incident at Nkurenkuru, four Namibians were arrested on 9 November when they were found in possession a cane rat carcass. At Witvlei, an Angolan national and a Namibian were arrested on 9 November with an oryx carcass. Meanwhile at Kahenge, two Namibians were arrested on 12 November with three python skins. Hausiku Haimbangu and Karupa Mukwambi were charged with illegal possession of and dealing in controlled wildlife products.
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NAM_2021_11_12 arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun_0.pdf | 292.13 KB |
At Nkurenkuru three Namibians were arrested on 21 November for being in possession of a leopard skin and a python skin. Claudia Kambinda, Shikerete Shinyemba and Michael Domingo were all charged with illegal possession of and dealing in controlled wildlife products. In another incident at Kongola, three Zambian nationals and one Angolan were arrested on 22 November when they were found in possession of eland meat.
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NAM_2021_12_Eight arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 282.22 KB |