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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 1301 - 1350 of 2568
Sunday, 15 August 2021
Tairo A 2021. African rangers fight poaching under plight of COVID-19 pandemic.

A survey conducted by conservation encouragement charity, Tusk and Natural State, found that African rangers see no sign of relief. Poaching is actually escalating as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Africa’s communities and wildlife. The survey questioned 60 field organizations across 19 countries in Africa.

Saturday, 14 August 2021
Nombembe P 2021. Lion teeth and claws seized as wildlife squad swoops on Vietnamese suspect.

Authorities have recovered lion teeth and claws from a suspected illegal wildlife trader. The Vietnamese man was arrested during raids in Bela-Bela and Pretoria after a four-month probe by analysts and wildlife investigators. The suspect was also arrested for illegal possession of a firearm.

Saturday, 14 August 2021
Sithole S 2021. Poachers axe ZimParks rangers.

Three Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) officials are battling for life at a hospital in Harare after they were recently severely assaulted by suspected poachers in Mushumbi, Mashonaland Central province.

Thursday, 12 August 2021
Kapama F 2021. Tanzania: Court upholds 30-year jail term imposed on poacher.

The Court of Appeal has upheld the 30-year imprisonment sentence imposed on poacher, Ng'waja Serengeta, for unlawful possession of three pieces of elephant tusks valued at 15,000 US dollars (about 34.8m/-), which are government trophies.

Thursday, 12 August 2021
Masakadza B 2021. Church leader up for illegal ivory possession.

A postolic Movement Advent Mission church leader Ranganai Kande has appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Courts after he was illegally found in possession of ivory.

Wednesday, 11 August 2021
Tian E 2021. TRAFFIC to helpAfrica fight illegal wildlife trade.

A non-governmental organisation fighting wildlife trafficking, TRAFFIC, has signed an agreement with the African Union (AU) to help the continent combat illegal wildlife trade and support development.

Wednesday, 11 August 2021
2021. More than 1000 suspects nabbed for various criminal cases during joint operations.

On 4 August 2021 at about 08:00 a suspect was apprehended after he was found in possession of a pangolin at his farm house under Lephalale policing area.

Tuesday, 10 August 2021
2021. One poacher killed in Botswana.

One poacher was killed in an anti-poaching incident in Ditshiping village, Okavango Delta, Botswana Defense Force (BDF) said Tuesday.

Monday, 9 August 2021
Smit E 2021. 11 arrested with eight wildlife products.

At Okahandja, three Namibians were arrested on 24 July for illegally hunting a wildebeest. Festus Nyama, Staynley Bwendo and Phoster Manyando were charged for violating the Nature Conservation Ordinance Act. A hunting rifle was also confiscated. The case was not reported last week. In another incident at Kahenge, a Namibian was arrested with two python skins on 26 July. Hamutenya Mutjireni was charged with the illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products. At Rundu, two Namibians were arrested on 27 July for being in possession of a pangolin skin.

Friday, 6 August 2021
Mgidi S 2021. Two suspects caught with 39 black bags of perlemoen.

Two men have been arrested in Jansenville with 39 black bags of perlemoen worth about R432,000 and an illegal firearm in their possession.

Friday, 6 August 2021
2021. Suspected rhino poachers arrested in the Free State.

Two suspected rhino poachers were arrested on a farm in Vierfontein in the Free State on Thursday, provincial police said.

Thursday, 5 August 2021
2021. Wildtierverbrechen bleiben stehts ein Problem.

Am 24. Juli wurden demnach drei Männer in Okahandja verhaftet, da diese mit einem Wildebeest-Kadaver und einer Jagdwaffe in ihrem Besitz gefunden wurden. In Kahenge, in der Kavango-West-Region, wurde am 26. Juli ebenfalls ein Namibier wegen illegalen Besitzes von zwei Python-Häuten verhaftet. Bei einem weiteren Vorfall des 27. Juli in Rundu, wurden zwei Männer, die im Besitz eines Schuppentierpanzers waren, ebenfalls verhaftet.

Wednesday, 4 August 2021
George L 2021. Nigeria seizes record R770 million in pangolin parts, elephant tusks.

Officials in Nigeria - a hub for illegal wildlife trafficking - have seized a record amount of pangolin scales and claws and elephant tusks as the government attempts to combat the trade, the head of customs said on Wednesday. The seizure, worth 22 billion naira ($54 million and over R770 million), included 17,137 kg of pangolin scales, 44 kg of elephant tusks and 60 kg in pangolin claws, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali, comptroller-general of customs, said in a statement.

Wednesday, 4 August 2021
Robinson D 2021. Rhino, elephant poaching continues to decline in Africa.

Rhino and elephant poaching continues to decline in Africa, most likely due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and enhanced protection efforts. This is particularly the case in Namibia, as well as Zimbabwe and Tanzania, bringing hope to a species plagued by intensive poaching over the past few decades.

Tuesday, 3 August 2021
2021. Mozambique: No elephant poaching recorded in Niassa Reserve.

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi announced on Saturday that, for the third consecutive year, no elephants have been poached in the Niassa National Reserve in the far north of the country, or in the Gorongosa National Park in the central province of Sofala.

Monday, 2 August 2021
Routh R 2021. Babi to remain in custody, bail appeal dismissed.

Windhoek High Court Judge Herman January on Friday dismissed an appeal against the ruling of magistrate Linus Samunzala to release self-styled prophet Jackson Babi on bail pending his trial. Babi faces charges of possessing or dealing in two rhino horns, hunting a rhinoceros that is protected by law and possessing a hunting rifle and ammunition without a licence. The State claims Babi and Frizans Naululu Dumeni were in possession or dealt in two rhino horns at Babi’s residence in Kleine Kuppe in Windhoek between 26-27 May 2020.

Monday, 2 August 2021
2021. Interview: Namibia eager to partner with China on wildlife cooperation.

Namibia is eager to partner with China on wildlife cooperation, the African country's environment minister said during an interview with Xinhua. Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta said that China has been a supporter of Namibia's conservation programs, adding that he had discussed others areas of cooperation with his counterparts during a trip to China. "Namibia-China cooperation is very cordial and a genuine one, especially when it comes to conservation programs and also environmental programs.

Monday, 2 August 2021
Ombati C 2021. Kenya: Police arrest four suspects with Sh10 million elephant tusks.

Police said the four were found in possession of 19 pieces of the jumbo tusks. The tusks have a street value of Sh10 million.

Sunday, 1 August 2021
2021. Nashorn-Wilderei in Südafrika legt wieder zu - 125 Festnahmen.

Voriges Jahr ließ die Nashorn-Wilderei in Südafrika nach - wegen des Corona-Lockdowns. Nun steigt die Zahl der getöteten Rhinozerosse wieder.

Sunday, 1 August 2021
van Zyl C 2021. 249 rhino poached in SA since the start of 2021 and it is increasing.

At least 249 rhinos were killed in the first six months of this year in South Africa. The bulk of the killings happened at the Kruger National Park, where 132 rhinos were killed.

Sunday, 1 August 2021
2021. Rhino poaching increases again in South Africa - 125 arrests.

Rhino poaching is increasing again in South Africa. According to Environment Minister Barbara Creecy, a total of 249 rhinos were poached from January to the end of June. "Although the number of rhinos killed for their horns is higher than the 166 in the same period last year, it is less than the 318 poached rhinos in the first six months of 2019," said the Sanparks National Park Authority on Saturday - International Ranger Day - with. The previous year is considered an exceptional year due to one of the world's strictest corona lockdowns in South Africa.

Saturday, 31 July 2021
Chingarande D 2021. Pangolin scales land 3 in court. NewsDay Zimbabwe

Three people have been arrested after they were found selling pangolin scales.

Saturday, 31 July 2021
Haynes D 2021. South African rhino poaching increased 50% this year, still lower than before pandemic.

There was a 50% increase in the number of rhinoceroses killed in the first six months of 2021 in South Africa compared to the same period last year, but the figure is still lower than pre-pandemic years, the country's government announced Saturday. Barbara Creecy, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, said 249 rhinos have been poached for their horns from Jan. 1 through the end of June. That's up from the 166 poached in the same time period in 2020, but still a marked decline from 2019, which saw 318 rhino poaching.

Saturday, 31 July 2021
2021. Rhino poaching update as SA pays tribute to brave and fallen rangers.

Minister of Environment Barbara Creecy today released the latest rhino poaching statistics for South Africa, whilst also paying tribute to SANParks' rangers, including those rangers who tragically died over the past year. Minister of Environment Barbara Creecy today released the latest rhino poaching statistics for South Africa, whilst also paying tribute to SANParks’ rangers, including those rangers who tragically died over the past year.

Thursday, 29 July 2021
2021. Zimbabwe: Seven armed robbers, poachers arrested.

"Meanwhile, on July 25, 2021 at Chatseka area, Mutawatawa, Murewa, police also arrested Joseph Kabunze (67), Perfect Kabunze (29), Chatseka Mapuranga (39) and Makwanya Kahwiti (29) for unlawful possession of ivory." The arrest led to the recovery of 4 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 12,5kg valued at US$2 635.

Thursday, 29 July 2021
Froneman A 2021. Pregnant pangolin rescued from suspected poaching, safely released.

A pregnant Temminck's pangolin was rescued from suspected poaching and handed over to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital recently. The Hospital stated that she was 'retrieved from a community handover' through a collaborative effort between the African Pangolin Working Group, South African Police Service (APWG), Endangered Species and Stock Theft Unit, and the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism.

Thursday, 29 July 2021
Kandovazu E 2021. Prophet Babi remanded in custody.

Prophet Jackson Babi has been remanded in custody again after High Court Judge Harald January dismissed his bail appeal. The judge did not make available the full judgment, saying it will only be available later after it has been edited. Babi has been in custody since last year after he was arrested on poaching charges.

Wednesday, 28 July 2021
2021. SANParks and Greater Kruger partners to strengthen their anti-poaching approach.

SANParks and security partners in the Greater Kruger Region are jointly implementing a range of interventions as part of an integrated wildlife management approach to counter the effects of wildlife crime, in particular rhino poaching.

Wednesday, 28 July 2021
Kandovazu E 2021. Babi's bail appeal judgment is not ready.

Judgement in the matter where Prophet Jackson Babi is appealing a decision that denied him bail will be handed own later this week. Babi is appealing a judgment handed down by a magistrate in the lower court.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Ndlovu B 2021. Four men suspected to be poachers arrested after being found with elephant tusks.

Four suspected poachers have been arrested after being found in possession of elephant tusks worth nearly US$3 000.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Hattingh E 2021. Stryd teen olifantstropery werp vrugte af.

Hoewel niemand nog in hegtenis geneem is in verband met die vier olifante wat vanjaar in Namibië gestroop is nie, toon Namibië oor die afgelope agt jaar 'n sterk afname in die stroping van dié bosreuse. Volgens syfers wat deur die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme bygehou word, blyk dit dat olifantstropery jaarliks verminder. Terwyl daar in 2016 tot bykans 101 olifante gestroop is, was dit in 2019 en 2020 onderskeidelik net 13 en 12 olifante.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
2021. Elefanten- und Nashornwilderei nimmt über die Jahre ab.

Environment Ministry press secretary Romeo Muyunda announced the latest rhino and ivory poaching figures yesterday. According to this, the safety of the animals has improved somewhat over the past few years.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Smit E 2021. Poaching numbers drop.

This year to date only four elephants have been poached in comparison to the 12 elephants that were poached last year. In 2014, when poaching started to increase in Namibia, 78 elephants were killed, peaking at 101 poached elephants in 2016.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Nakale A 2021. Nine rhinos poached in 2021.

Namibia has lost nine rhinos to poaching in various national parks this year, according to the environment ministry. The statistics show three black, and six white rhinos were poached this year alone. The three black rhinos were killed in the Etosha National Park, while six rhinos were poached for their horns at private-owned white rhino reserves. Environment spokesperson Romeo Muyunda also issued national elephant poaching statistics per year from 2014 to 2021.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Muyamba J 2021. N$3 000 bail for selling pangolin scales to cop.

Rundu - A 30-year-old man, who was arrested through a police sting operation on Saturday at Zigizi village in Kavango West, was granted bail of N$3 000 for alleged possession and dealing in pangolin scales when he appeared in court yesterday.

Monday, 26 July 2021
2021. Enhancing wildlife crime journalism with data.

New Oxpeckers professional support programme boosts wildlife crime reporting in Southern Africa with data-driven tools and journalist training.

Monday, 26 July 2021
Reuters T 2021. Rhino and elephant poaching declines in Namibia.

Rhino and elephant poaching has declined significantly this year in Namibia, home to the only free-roaming black rhinos left in the world, government data showed on Monday. Nine rhinos have been illegally killed by hunters so far in 2021, the lowest number in eight years for the period, according to the figures from the ministry of environment and tourism. Four elephants have been killed this way, a five-year low

Sunday, 25 July 2021
Boois C 2021. Poacher caught red-handed at agricultural college farm.

A 29-year-old male suspect was arrested in the Rehoboth constituency on charges of illegal hunting and possession of game meat without a permit. Crime investigation coordinator of the Namibian Police in the Hardap region deputy commissioner Eric Clay confirmed the arrest. The suspect is charged with illegal poaching after he was found in possession of a gemsbok worth N$8 000 and a warthog worth N$2 500. It is not clear if the animals were still alive.

Sunday, 25 July 2021
Kayula P 2021. Rhino poaching worsens in Africa.

Poaching has risen sharply in the recent years across Africa, fueled by rising demand in Asia for ivory and rhino horns, coveted as traditional medicine and a status symbol and acquisition and adaptation of advanced technologies in the fight against poachers is not yielding the desired results.

Friday, 23 July 2021
Hattingh E 2021. Stropers met sewe olifanttande gearresteer.

Twee mense is op Katima Mulilo en Kahenge met altesaam sewe olifanttande in hul besit betrap, terwyl nog twee mense gevang is toe hulle onderskeidelik luislangvelle en krokodilvelle van die hand wou sit.

Two people were caught on Katima Mulilo and Kahenge with a total of seven elephant tusks in their possession, while two more people were caught trying to dispose of python skins and crocodile skins respectively.

Friday, 23 July 2021
Francke R-L 2021. Eastern Cape suspect busted with abalone worth over R3.7 million .

Cape Town - Police in the Eastern Cape have arrested a 38-year-old suspect and confiscated abalone with an approximate street value of R3.7 million.

Friday, 23 July 2021
2021. AB Steyn and Dawie Groenewald released on bail at the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court.

The men were arrested on Wednesday afternoon for the illegal possession of 19 rhino horns.

Friday, 23 July 2021
Gomes M 2021. Quissama Park tops list of poaching cases.

The Quissama National Park, in Luanda province, has been the preferred area for the practice of poaching of various species there, informed, on Wednesday, the coordinator of the Project to Combat the Illegal Trade of Wildlife and Human Conflict and Wildlife in Angola.

Thursday, 22 July 2021
Sithole S 2021. Jealous man plants ivory in ex-wife's toilet.

A plot by a jealous Guruve man to get his ex-wife and her boyfriend imprisoned by planting ivory on her hit a snag after he was arrested for possession of ivory.

Thursday, 22 July 2021
Routh R 2021. Rhino horn accused bail appeal fails.

A bail appeal by three men accused of smuggling rhino horns failed in the Oshakati High Court when acting Judge David Munsu dismissed their appeal against the refusal of bail, by the Opuwo magistrate's court.

Thursday, 22 July 2021
2021. Acht Festnahmen in einer Woche.

Eight suspects were arrested in connection with six wildlife crime cases in the past week. According to the Ministry of Environment's wildlife crime statistics, 13 wildlife products were confiscated. On July 12, a Namibian with two python skins was arrested. The following day, a Namibian national was arrested in Rundu for being in possession of a pangolin armor. A Zambian national with four tusks was also arrested in Katima Mulilo on July 15. On the same day, a man with three tusks was arrested in Kahenge, as well as a Namibian in Outjo, because he was in possession of an oryx…

Thursday, 22 July 2021
Smit E 2021. 10 more arrested for wildlife crimes in July.

At Sangwali, a Namibian was arrested on 6 July for being in possession of one impala carcass. Oscar Munyandi was charged with illegal hunting of special protected species. In another matter, a Namibian, Simuna Kankona, was arrested on 12 July with two python skins, and charged for the illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products. On 13 July, Mathews Hamusira, a Namibian citizen, was arrested at Rundu for being in possession of a pangolin skin.

Thursday, 22 July 2021
2021. Accused in Mbombela rhino horn bust identified.

The two men who were arrested for the illegal possession and selling of rhino horns on Wednesday, appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday afternoon. They are Schalk Abraham Steyn (48), better known to Lowvelders as AB, and Limpopo game farmer, Dawid Groenewald (52).

Thursday, 22 July 2021
2021. Two arrested with 19 rhino horns to appear in Mpumalanga court.

Two suspects, aged 19 and 48, who were found allegedly in possession of 19 rhino horns, are expected to appear at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s court in Mpumalanga, on Thursday. The horns are estimated to have a value of R2.6 million.

Thursday, 22 July 2021
2021. Game breeder arrested for possession, trade in rhino horns.

A local game breeder has earlier today been charged with the illegal possession and the selling of rhino horns after a combined intelligence operation involving several law enforcement units.

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