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.
Explore your search results using the filter checkboxes, or amend your search or start a new search.
Der selbsternannte Prophet Jackson Babi, der des illegalen Besitzes von zwei Rhinozeros-Hörner angeklagt ist, wird bis auf weiteres in Haft bleiben, nachdem sein Prozess gestern am Magistratsgericht in Gobabis auf den 15. September vertagt wurde.
Self-proclaimed prophet Jackson Babi, who is accused of illegally possessing two rhinoceros horns, will remain in custody until his trial commences at the Gobabis magistrate's court on September 15.
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NAM_2020-06_Prophet bleibt in Untersuchungshaft_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 313.46 KB |
NAM_20202-06_Prophet remains in custody_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 310.2 KB |
Ten wildlife products were seized, which included six rhino horns, two elephant tusks and two giraffe carcasses. A total of seven new wildlife crimes were reported recently, while 16 suspects were arrested. Eleven of the suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching and/or trafficking cases, while two others were arrested for elephant poaching and/or trafficking.
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NAM_2020-06_16 arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 198.26 KB |
Religious preacher Jackson Babi, who is facing criminal charges after rhino horns were allegedly discovered in his house in Windhoek, is claiming the police's search of his home and also his second arrest last week were unlawful.
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NAM_2020-06_Preacher questions rhino poaching arrest_The Namibian.pdf | 555.74 KB |
According to a police report compiled after his death, Brighton Munkombwe, 30, of Douglasdale in Bulawayo, collapsed at the entrance of the police charge offce last Friday. He was arrested after he was found with three kilogrammes of the deadly cyanide granules in a bag when he was cornered by an anti-poaching reaction team of police and rangers. The reaction team had received a tip-off that Munkombwe wanted to buy ivory from some villagers and laid an ambush in Gwayi. Four villagers who Munkombwe was suspected to have been trading with…
Local so-called prophet Jackson Babi and his co-accused Frizans Naululu Dumeni who were due to appear in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday for a bail application had their criminal case postponed to 24 July for further police investigations. The duo were arrested for illegally possessing two rhino horns and for the possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence.
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NAM_2020-06_Prophet has rhino case deferred_New Era.pdf | 502.29 KB |
Diligent detective work by the Protected Resources Division (PRD) of the Namibian Police, led to more poaching charges being registered against Prophet Jackson Babi. The prophet is currently in police custody on poaching charges that stem from an arrest last week at his home in the Kleine Kuppe neighbourhood of Windhoek. Babi, along with Frizans Naululu Dumeni, Alberto Mbwale and Joseph Matheus, were all taken into custody when they were found in possession of two rhinoceros horns last Tuesday evening.
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NAM_2020-06_Poaching charges piling up against prophet_Informante.pdf | 319.59 KB |
The Ministry and the UNDP said biodiversity is especially significant to Namibia with about 70% of people depending on natural resources based productive systems for survival. "Even though many livelihoods depend on the environment, more needs to be done to safeguard and foster its ability to sustain livelihoods," they said. According to the two, poaching is one of the biggest threats to the country’s natural environment as it threatens the population of our iconic wildlife species such as elephants and rhinos.
Ses Namibiese mans is verlede Woensdag in die Okahandja-landdroshof vir die sameswering om 'n renoster te stroop en die oortreding van die wet op vuurwapens en ammunisie gevonnis.
Six Namibian men were sentenced on Wednesday in Okahandja Magistrate's Court for conspiring to poach a rhino and violating the firearms and ammunition law.
Dehorning is controversial, especially as it makes male rhinos vulnerable in fights. But they are not essential for survival, and, like fingernails, they grow back.
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SA_2020-06_South Africa dehorns rhinos to curb poaching surge_trtworld.pdf | 444.57 KB |
Net voor die vermeende renosterstropers, pastoor Jackson Babi (30) en die 25-jarige mnr. Frizans Dumeni, gisteroggend in die Windhoek-landdroshof vir hul borgtogaansoek verskyn het, het 'n boer laat weet nóg twee witrenosterkarkasse is op 'n plaas in die Gobabis-distrik gevind.
The report, which is jointly compiled by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism's intelligence and investigations unit and the protected resources division of the Namibian Police, detailed that the seven cases saw the arrest of 16 suspects. All those apprehended are Namibian nationals. Of those arrested, 11 were in connection with rhino poaching or trafficking, two in connection with elephant poaching or trafficking, two for the hunting of giraffe, and one for contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act. Among the wildlife products seized were six rhino…
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NAM_2020-06_16 Namibians nabbed for Wildlife crime_The Namibian.pdf | 636.08 KB |
Prophet Babi und Mitbeschuldigte Teil eines größeren Wilderei-Syndikats. Kurz bevor der aufsehenerregende "Prophet Babi" und der mitbeschuldigte Dumeni dem Haftrichter vorgeführt werden, werden neue Wilderei-Fälle bekannt, in die Babi ebenfalls verstrickt sein soll. Die Kaution wird ihm verweigert und am Montag muss er wieder vor den Kadi.
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NAM_2020-06_Wilderern wird Kaution verweigert_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 498.6 KB |
NAM_2020-06_Poachers are denied bail_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 405.98 KB |
Followers of self-proclaimed prophet Jackson Babi yesterday formed a human shield around him during his latest appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court. Babi (30) left the court surrounded by his supporters, who pushed reporters away and grabbed cameras to prevent photos being taken of him. Although the matter was set down for a bail application yesterday, the defence decided to apply for bail at a later stage.
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NAM_2020-06_Groupies form human shield around_Namibian Sun.pdf | 291.88 KB |
Die selfverklaarde profeet, pastoor Jackson Babi (30), bly in aanhouding en moet boonop volgende Maandag in die Gobabis-landdroshof op 'n klag van renosterstropery verskyn. Babi het vanoggend saam met sy medebeskuldigde, mnr. Frizans Dumeni, verskyn, maar hul borgtogaansoek het 'n wending geneem toe staatsaanklaer Rowan van Wyk gesê het dat Babi op Maandag 8 Junie in die Gobabis-landdroshof op 'n klag van die onwettige jag van spesiaal beskermde wild ('n renoster) moet verskyn.
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NAM_2020-06_Geen borgtog vir Babi en kie_Republikein.pdf | 219.48 KB |
NAM_2020-06_No bail for Babi and Co_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 219.02 KB |
The former head of the global convention on international wildlife trade says that current rules surrounding legitimate enterprise “don’t cut it” to prevent future pandemics and that wildlife crime should be confronted with the same international legal force that tackles human trafficking and terrorism. John Scanlon served as Secretary-General of the Secretariat overseeing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) from 2010 until 2018. CITES is affiliated with the United Nations Environment Programme…
The Hanoi People’s Court sentenced a man to five years in prison on Monday for trafficking rhino horns from Angola to Vietnam. Nguyen Van Pho, 31, was charged with "illegally transporting rare and endangered animals" after arriving in Noi Bai International Airport from Bangkok on November 7, 2019, with the horns. When airport security personnel checked his baggage, they found a package wrapped in tin foil with two black rhino horns which weighed 1.9kg inside.
A Windhoek-based preacher who was last week arrested after two rhino horns were allegedly found at his house is due to apply for bail in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court tomorrow.
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NAM_2020-06_Preacher gets date for bail hearing_The Namibian.pdf | 682.96 KB |
Altesaam elf verdagtes is verlede week in verband met renosterstropery of -horingsmokkelary vasgetrek.
A total of eleven suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching or horn smuggling last week.
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NAM_2020-06_Elf vas oor renosterstropery_Republikein.pdf | 223.59 KB |
NAM_2020-06_Eleven arrested for rhino poaching_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 222.85 KB |
Pastoor Jackson Babi (30) van die House of Joy Ministries en sy medebeskuldigde, mnr. Friza Dumeni (25), bly steeds agter tralies. Landdros Linus Samunzela het vanoggend tydens die twee beskuldigdes se vlugtige verskyning in die Windhoek-landdroshof hul saak in verband met renosterstropery, -horingsmokkelary en die onwettige besit van 'n vuurwapen en ammunisie tot Woensdag uitgestel. Hulle sal dan vir borgtog aansoek doen.
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NAM_2020-06_Pastoor Babi steeds agter tralies_Republikein.pdf | 210.15 KB |
NAM_2020-06_Pastor Babi is still behind bars_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 210.32 KB |
Mnre. Alberto Mbwale en Joseph Matheus het op klagte van die onwettige jag van spesiaal beskermde wild ('n renoster) en geldwassery verskyn.
Messrs. Alberto Mbwale and Joseph Matheus appeared on charges of illegal hunting of specially protected wildlife (a rhino) and money laundering.
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NAM_2020-06_Twee renosterstropers verskyn in Gobabis_Republikein.pdf | 211.16 KB |
NAM_2020-06_Two rhino poachers appear in Gobabis court_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 211.58 KB |
Preacher Babi stands accused of illegally being in possession of two rhino horns, a firearm and ammunition.
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NAM_2020-06_Only God can judge him_NamibianSun.pdf | 367.46 KB |
Poachers in Africa are encroaching on wildlife and killing rhinos in travel hotspots now devoid of visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tourism revenue for some of Africa’s wildlife reserves and national parks has declined sharply as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
South Africa is deliberating over a radical review of their Meat Safety Act that wildlife activists fear could "pave the way" for elephants, rhinos, giraffes and every animal listed for human consumption.
Im Zuge der Ermittlungen in einem Fall der Nashornwilderei wurden in dieser Woche acht Verdächtigte festgenommen. Den Beschuldigten werden unerlaubte Jagd geschützter Wildtiere, illegaler Handel mit Nasenhörnern und Verstöße gegen das Waffengesetz vorgeworfen. Vier der Tatverdächtigen wurden gestern in Otjiwarongo dem Haftrichter vorgeführt und bleiben nach Aussage des Umweltministeriums vorerst in Untersuchungshaft. Heute sollen jeweils zwei weitere Verdächtige in Gobabis und Windhoek im Magistratsgericht erscheinen.
Die oorblywende vier verdagtes sal vandag hul verskyning in howe op Gobabis en in Windhoek maak. Vier van die agt verdagtes wat vandeesweek in verband met renosterstropery en -horingsmokkelary vasgetrek is, het gister in camera in die streekshof op Otjiwarongo verskyn.
Four of the eight suspects arrested this week in connection with rhino poaching and hornet smuggling appeared in camera in the Otjiwarongo regional court on Thursday.
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NAM_2020-05_Vier renosterstropers verskyn in camera_Republikein.pdf | 293.5 KB |
NAM_2020-05_Four rhino poachers appear in camera_Republikei_Eng.pdf | 293.41 KB |
Four of the eight suspects arrested in connection with the alleged poaching of two rhino horns near Gobabis appeared in the Otjiwarongo Regional Court in camera yesterday.
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NAM_2020_05_Poaching suspects appear in camera_Namibian Sun.pdf | 71.58 KB |
Das US-Verteidigungsministerium hat vergangene Woche zwei Geländefahrzeuge an das namibische Umweltministerium (MEFT) gespendet. Einer der beiden Toyota Land Cruiser soll von dem Polizeischulungszentrum am Waterberg verwendet werden. Der andere Land Cruiser ist für Einsätze der Antiwilderei-Hundeeinheit im Kampf gegen organisierte Umweltverbrechen vorgesehen.
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NAM_2020_05_Kampf gegen Wilderei_ USA spenden zwei Allradwagen_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 119.93 KB |
Agt vermeende renosterstropers en -horingsmokkelaars is oor twee dae vasgetrek. Volgens die hoof van die Blue Rhino-taakspan, komm. Barry de Klerk, is twee renosterkarkasse Dinsdag op 'n plaas in die Gobabis-distrik ontdek.
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NAM_2020-05_8 vas oor renosterstropery_Republikein.pdf | 234.06 KB |
NAM_2020-05_8 arrested for rhino poaching_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 233.47 KB |
Jackson Babi, a well-known Prophet along with a police officer attached to the Very Important Persons Protection Directorate was amongst seven suspects arrested on Monday for poaching and trading in wildlife contraband. Lightning quick investigative work by members of the Protected Resources Division of the Namibian Police saw the arrest of the seven suspects on the same day that a farm worker discovered the carcasses of two illegally hunted rhinos on a farm in the Gobabis district.
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NAM_2020-05_Prophet and policeman arrested for poaching_Informante.pdf | 1.38 MB |
How technology, innovation and partnership are changing the fate of Africa's threatened megafauna.
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Gadget_2020-05_Co_innovation can save rhinos_Gadget.pdf | 298.27 KB |
Zimbabwe has realised a spike in wildlife poaching as the wildlife management authority has redirected efforts towards combating the spread of Covid-19 during the current lockdown period, a top lobby has said.
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ZIM_2020-05_Spike In Wildlife Poaching As Poachers Take Advantage Of Lockdown Laxities_NewZimbabwe.pdf | 481.91 KB |
Most people understand that the poaching of rhinos is cruel and could, quite possibly, drive rhinos to extinction. But why the inordinate fuss about rhinos? Are they special enough from an ecological point of view, that ecosystems need them to be around? Of course, no species should go extinct due to man, and rhinos are iconic symbols and tourism draw-cards.
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Africa Geographic_2020-05_Why are rhinos important for ecosystems_Africa Geographic.pdf | 3.42 MB |
Between 11 and 17 May, only one new case of wildlife crime was registered with four suspects arrested and charged, according to the latest wildlife crime statistics compiled by the Intelligence and Investigation Unit within the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and Protected Resources. Two of the suspects were arrested on rhino poaching/trafficking, including conspiracy of rhino poaching. One springbok horn was seized.
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NAM_2020-05_Drop in recorded wildlife crime_Confidante.pdf | 311.17 KB |
An extension of two weeks has been granted to the public to make submissions on the work of the high-level panel established to review policies, legislation and related practices on the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.
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SA_2020-05_Elephant management SA_Journal of African Elephants.pdf | 658.77 KB |
Internasionale Biodiversiteitdag word jaarliks op 22 Mei volgens die Verenigde Nasies se Konvensie oor Biologiese Diversiteit (UNCBD) herdenk.
International Biodiversity Day is commemorated annually on May 22, according to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD).
While the rest of the country has been locked down for a considerable time, the rangers and game guards who protect Namibia’s wildlife could not drop their vigilance for a day.
A retired police officer, a former scout and a Zambian national have been jailed for nine years for killing a black rhinoceros in Bubye Valley Conservancy near Beitbridge last year.
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ZIM_2020-05_Ex-cop jailed for killing rhino_The Herald.pdf | 337.54 KB |
South African traders with China are illegally selling thousands of wild animals threatened with extinction and endangered, under the guise of legal exports, according to an investigation. Monkeys have been stolen from the wild, and together with cheetahs, tigers, rhinos, lions and meerkats, they have been trafficked to circuses, theme parks, laboratories, zoos and "safari parks", researchers found.
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SA_2020-05_South Africa wildlife trade_Journal of African Elephants.pdf | 175.93 KB |
Four men are expected to appear in court on Tuesday after they were caught in possession of protected flora and a rhino horn. The arrests were carried out by the Malmesbury Stock Theft Unit, Vredendal Crime Intelligence and members of the Cape Nature Reserve.
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SA_2020_05_Four caught in possession of a rhino horn and protected plants_News24 Wire.pdf | 256.43 KB |
The arrests were carried out by the Malmesbury Stock Theft Unit, Vredendal Crime Intelligence and members of the Cape Nature Reserve.
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SA_2020-05_Four caught in possession of a rhino horn and protected plants_The Citizen.pdf | 653.23 KB |
One of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons, Kudakwashe, has been implicated in the poaching of wildlife in Nyangambe, in the Save Valley Conservancy, Chiredzi, located in the south-eastern part of the country.
Legal representative of the Nyangambe Community Wildlife Project, Farai Chauke made the allegations in his defence to the fraud charges he is facing for allegedly forging title deeds to the project, which is run by Nyangambe villagers. Chauke, who is a practising lawyer in the capital Harare, also hails from the Nyangambe area.
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ZIM_2020-05_ED Mnangagwa Son Kudakwashe Implicated in Poaching Scandal _ ZIM NEWS.pdf | 787.53 KB |
Much has been written about the decimation of rhino populations in Africa due to poaching. Due to COVID-19, the problem has worsened as gangs in Mozambique take advantage of the lack of tourists and guards in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, killing nine rhino already. Since lockdown, six rhino in Botswana have been slaughtered for their horn. Why do the poachers do it?
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SA_2020-05_A rhino poacher in Africa reveals why he kills the animals_NYpost.pdf | 852.39 KB |
Four hundred rhinos will have their horns cut off for their protection.
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inews_2020-05_Secret dehorning programme to save endangered rhinos in Africa_inews.pdf | 2.59 MB |
In Botswana, at least six rhinos have been poached since it closed its borders to limit the spread of coronavirus.
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BOT_2020-05_We need to tackle this illegal trade to prevent further pandemics_inews.pdf | 2.14 MB |
In Botswana, which depends heavily on tourism, poachers have taken advantage of suddenly empty wildlife reserves to kill at least six endangered rhinos during the coronavirus pandemic.
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BOT_2020-05_Endangered species among virus victims_Bankokpost.pdf | 646.13 KB |
The dogs, who vary from a beagle to bloodhound, began training from birth before working at 18 months-old at the Southern African Wildlife College in Greater Kruger National Park.
An elephant was shot and killed at a farm in the Ndiyona Constituency in the Kavango East Region last Wednesday, the police said. The Namibian Police crime investigations coordinator in the region, Deputy Commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu, told Nampa on Tuesday they found the carcass of an elephant at the farm in the Ndiyona Constituency.
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NAM_2020-05_Elephant illegally killed at Ndiyona_NAMPA.pdf | 285.71 KB |
Wild animals are back. Kangaroos bounding through the streets of Melbourne, elephant herds passing through Indian villages, jackals in Johannesburg, leopards in Mumbai, wild boar in Bergamo and Verreaux eagles catching thermals above a silent Cape Town. And of course, inevitable cartoons of humans in surgical masks staring forlornly at animals playing on the sidewalk. Is lockdown good news for creatures - or for poachers?
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SA_2020-05_How the Coronavirus changes poaching strategies_Daily Maverick.pdf | 457.64 KB |
Already facing extinction at the hands of rampant poachers, the endangered rhino’s future is in more jeopardy in the wake of the escalating outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Namibia’s free-roaming black rhinos, extraordinary than any other herd globally, is bearing the biggest brunt, directly and indirectly, from the pandemic. Efforts to conserve this special species in Namibia largely depend on a vibrant tourism industry. With the sector among the hardest hit by the eruption of the COVID-19, the impact on initiatives to save the animal has been adverse.…
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NAM_2020-05_Namibias special rhinos under severe COVID-19 threat _CAJ News Africa.pdf | 226.38 KB |
COVID-19 has brought the world to its knees and is believed to have been caused by the consumption of an endangered animal. Now, South African Government is proposing an amendment to the Meat Safety Act which expands the list of animals that may be legally consumed by humans.
The proposed amended list classifies animals for slaughter, consumption, import, export and sale. This list now includes many threatened species in South Africa including rhino, elephant and giraffe. It also includes undefined birds, reptiles and fish.
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SA_2020-05_Government aims to legalise rhino consumption_Getaway.pdf | 369.89 KB |