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 probe into poaching in the Etosha National Park, where 54 rhino carcasses have been found this year alone, will include investigating rumours of the possible involvement of park staff and management. "Everything will be investigated and no stone will be left unturned. I have already seen two problems and that is the negligence of staff and the other suspicions could be very serious," said Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta.
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NAM_2015-05_Etosha killing fields_Park staff to be probed_Namibian Sun.pdf | 103.94 KB |
Police Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga has called for the establishment of a database of all trespassers in national parks and nature reserves to establish whether there are links with poachers and possible buyers of rhino horns and elephant tusks. Ndeitunga made these remarks at the Etosha National Park while addressing Heads of Criminal Investigation, Operations, Special Branch and Special Field Force Directorates as well as regional commanders from the Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati, Kunene and Otjozondjupa regions.
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NAM_2015-04_Ndeitunga calls for stricter park controls_Namibian Sun.pdf | 114.09 KB |
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has announced that 31 rhino carcasses have been found since April 8. In a statement issued over the weekend, Permanent Secretary Simeon Negumbo said the illegal hunting of rhino in Namibia must be brought under control rapidly. Negumbo said an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the deaths, as some carcasses were old and still had their horns.
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NAM_2015-04_Rhino poaching skyrockets_Namibian Sun.pdf | 94.27 KB |
The threat looming over Namibia's rhinoceros population is even bigger than previously thought, with 38 rhino carcasses having been discovered in the Etosha National Park so far this year. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced in a media statement on Friday that another 31 rhino carcasses have been found in the Etosha National Park since 8 April.
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NAM_2015-04_Shock spike in Etosha rhino deaths_The Namibian.pdf | 297.8 KB |
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) said on Friday that a total of 31 rhino carcasses were discovered in the Etosha National Park during the course of last week. Most of the carcasses were found in the western part of Etosha.
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NAM_2015-04_More than 30 rhino carcasses discovered in Etosha last week_The Namibian.pdf | 234.71 KB |
An independent investigator found no evidence of suspicions of any of the Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT) staff being involved in poaching, according to an official SRT statement released on Wednesday. Last December the SRT launched an internal investigation in response to newspaper reports that alleged that its staff was involved in rhino poaching in the Kunene region.
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NAM_2015-04_Rhino trust staff not involved in poaching_The Namibian.pdf | 510.02 KB |
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 |
Namibia continues losing rhinoceroses and elephants to the greed of poachers, with seven carcasses of poached rhinos having been discovered in the Etosha National Park so far this year. The discovery of the carcasses of seven poached rhinos in the Etosha National Park since the start of this year brings the number of rhinos killed by poachers in Namibia's premier wildlife refuge since October last year up to 11, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Simeon Negumbo, announced in a media statement on Friday.
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NAM_2015-04_Etosha rhino losses rise to 11_The Namibian.pdf | 237.23 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 |
Sensational disclosures are the stuff of journalism. Good journalism however, requires that these disclosures are accurate and the interpretation of the facts is rational and reasonable. A recent front page lead "Wildlife staff probed in Kunene rhino poaching" requires a response.
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NAM_2015-02_Rhino poaching in the Kunene_a field perspective_The Namibian.pdf | 438.18 KB |
The Save the Rhino Trust (SRT), which has been monitoring Namibia's desert-adapted rhinos since 1983, confirmed an internal investigation and announced that Otjiwarongo veterinarian Dr Axel Hartman has assumed the position of chief operating officer at the NGO as of this month.
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NAM_2015-02_Rhino trust investigates poaching_The Namibian.pdf | 313.41 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 Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has launched an internal investigation after it was presented with a letter in mid-December outlining possible collusion between some staff members and poachers who have killed at least 18 critically endangered Kunene black rhinos since late 2012. The crisis at the SRT is however just part of a larger one in anti-poaching law enforcement and natural resource management in the so-called “Big Three” communal conservancies - Palmwag, Abenab and Sesfontein - in southern Kunene.
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NAM_2015-01_Wildlife staff probed in Kunene rhino poaching_The Namibian.pdf | 881.87 KB |
The chairperson of 'Save The Rhino Trust' in Namibia (SRT), Dudu Murorua says the organisation will intensify its operations and shift its future focus from monitoring to adopting a more proactive approach for the extensive protection of rhinos.
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NAM_2015-01_Protection needed for rhinos in Kunene_ The Namibian.pdf | 281.29 KB |
The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Kunene Region is investigating a case of rhino poaching after a cow and calf were found dead in the top Barab Plamwag Concession towards Mbakondja camel camp.
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NAM_2014-12_Another rhino cow and calf poached in Kunene_The Namibian.pdf | 495.95 KB |
Ben Simasiku, a 31-year-old suspected ivory smuggler, has been arrested in Zambia after the first-ever Interpol public appeal, dubbed to track down nine environmental fugitives.
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NAM_2014-12_Most wanted environmental fugitives list leads to arrest of ivory suspect_The Namibian.pdf | 635.15 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 three Chinese men accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of Namibia in March this year will have to stand trial on three main charges in the Windhoek Regional Court, the prosecutor general has decided.
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NAM_2014-12_Rhino horn case sent to Regional Court_The Namibian.pdf | 274.12 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 |
At least two more black rhinos have been killed by poachers in the Etosha National Park this month, bringing the total number of confirmed rhino poaching cases in Namibia's premier wildlife park to three.
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NAM_2014-11_Poachers kill two rhinos in Etosha_The Namibian.pdf | 248.79 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 carcasses of black rhino were discovered in the Kunene region this week, two weeks after another carcass of a black rhino bull was found in Etosha.
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NAM_2014-11_Three rhino carcasses found in Kunene_The Namibian.pdf | 233.75 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 reward of N$30 000 is being offered for information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of the people responsible for the poaching of a rhinoceros in Namibia's premier wildlife sanctuary, the Etosha National Park, about a week ago.
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NAM_2014-10_Reward for info on Etosha rhino poaching_The Namibian.pdf | 724.33 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 |
Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Environment and Tourism's proposal to de-horn rhinos in Namibia.
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NAM_2014-10_Nam de_horns rhinos in battle against poachers_The Namibian.pdf | 756.98 KB |
The three Chinese men accused of trying to smuggle two suitcases with rhino horns out of Namibia in March pleaded not guilty to all charges against them during their latest court appearance yesterday.
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NAM_2014-10_Chinese trio denies rhino horn charges_The Namibian.pdf | 838.56 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 |
A Kunene resident convicted of poaching a rhinoceros and possessing the endangered animal's two horns was sentenced to an effective seven years' imprisonment and fined a total of N$13 000 at the end of his trial in the Opuwo Magistrate's Court yesterday.
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NAM_2014-08_Rhino poacher gets seven years in prison_The Namibian.pdf | 296.89 KB |
One pupil and an elderly resident sustained slight injuries after they were attacked by a lone black rhino which terrorised residents of Omuthiya in Oshikoto region on Monday.
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NAM_2014-08_Rhino terrorises Omuthiya residents_The Namibian.pdf | 217.2 KB |
The case in which three Chinese men are charged with trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of Namibia near the end of March has again been postponed for further investigations to be carried out.
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NAM_2014-08_Rhino horn smuggling case postponed_The Namibian.pdf | 245.5 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 |