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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 801 - 850 of 2513
Wednesday, 10 August 2022
Reiter C 2022. Drei weitere Nashörner gewildert.

Ein Breitmaulnashornkadaver wurde gestern auf einer privaten Farm in der Okahandja-Gegend entdeckt. Zwei weitere Kadaver der gleichen Art wurden wiederrum am Montag auf einer privaten Farm in der Outjo Gegend entdeckt. Die Tiere sollen von Wilderern getötet worden sein.

 A white rhino carcass was discovered yesterday on a private farm in the Okahandja area. Two more carcasses of the same species were discovered Monday at a private farm in the Outjo area. The animals are said to have been killed by poachers.

Wednesday, 10 August 2022
Smit E 2022. Vier renosters, twee dae.

In die minder as agt maande van 2022 wat al verby is, is 36 renosters reeds oraloor die land gestroop. In die nuutste voorvalle is die karkas van ’n witrenoster gister op 'n private plaas in die Okahandja-distrik ontdek. Maandag is karkasse van nog twee gestroopte witrenosters op 'n private plaas in die Outjo-distrik aangemeld. Net verlede week het die ministerie gesê 33 renosters is vanjaar gestroop, waarvan 24 swartrenosters en nege witrenosters was.

Tuesday, 9 August 2022
2022. Robber, poachers arrested.

In Victoria Falls, police have arrested Listed Munkuli (35), Kudakwashe Ndlovu (31), Darlington Moyo (35) and Simon Nyoni (45) for unlawful possession of ivory at Mhizha Turn-off in the Matsetsi area. Two elephant tasks totalling 4,28kg, 15 lion claws and four lion teeth were recovered from the suspects. In another case, police and Zimbabwe National Parks Management Authority rangers, acting on a tip-off, arrested Evidence Moyo (22) for poaching. The suspect trapped and killed a male buffalo in the bush near the Victoria Falls dump site.

Tuesday, 9 August 2022
2022. Trio intercepted with four pieces of ivory.

Two men from Zvishavane and their friend from Goromonzi appeared in court yesterday on allegations of illegally possessing four pieces of raw Ivory worth US$6 426 they intended to trade in Harare.

Sunday, 7 August 2022
2022. Second fugitive on US most wanted list arrested In Meru.

Ahmed is wanted in the U.S after he was charged in an indictment alongside Moazu Kromah, aka "Ayoub," Amara Cherif, aka "Bamba Issiaka," and Mansur Mohamed Surur, aka "Mansour," for participating in a conspiracy to traffic in Rhinoceros horns and Elephant ivory, both protected wildlife species, valued at more than 7 million dollars. This involved the illegal poaching of more than 35 rhinoceros and more than 100 elephants.

Saturday, 6 August 2022
Gumede M 2022. KZN's rhino population is being decimated by highly organised poachers.

Rhino poachers are heartless and kill every rhino they see - young or old, with of without a horn - just to get rid of them from the reserve and to "try and make their job easier", should they come back. This is according to Ezemvelo Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo. This week, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Barbara Creecy said that KwaZulu-Natal recorded a loss of 133 rhinos in the first half of the year - which is more than triple the 33 rhino killed in the first six months of 2021.

Friday, 5 August 2022
2022. Rhino poachers shift focus from national parks to custodianship and private farms.

Rhino poachers have shifted focus from national parks to custodianship and private farms with both black and white rhinos being the target, Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism spokesperson (MEFT) Romeo Muyunda said this week. According to MEFT, 33 rhinos poached have been poached so far this year, of which 24 are black rhinos and nine are white rhinos.

Friday, 5 August 2022
2022. Ending rhino poaching in Namibia calls for concerted efforts: spokesperson.

Rhino poachers in Namibia have shifted focus from national parks to custodianship and private farms with both black and white rhinos being the target, an official said. Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) has recorded 33 rhinos poached since the start of the year, of which 24 were black rhinos and nine were white rhinos, said MEFT spokesperson Romeo Muyunda in a statement.

Friday, 5 August 2022
Reiter C 2022. Umweltministerium - 33 Nashörner und zwei Elefanten in diesem Jahr gewildert.

In diesem Jahr wurden laut des Umweltministeriums (MEFT) 33 Nashörner gewildert, davon sind 24 Spitzmaulnashörner und neun Breitmaulnashörner. "Es wurden neun Nashörner auf Farmen unter Treuhandverwaltung gewildert, weitere neun auf privaten Farmen und 15 im Etoscha-Nationalpark", so die Erklärung des Umweltministeriums. Namibia verzeichnete demnach 44 gewilderte Nashörner in 2021, 42 in 2020, 57 in 2019, 83 in 2018 und 55 in 2017.

Friday, 5 August 2022
Hartman A 2022. Verdächtige freigesprochen.

Drei Männer, die des illegalen Besitzes und Handels mit zwei Elefantenstoßzähnen im Wert von etwa 104 000 N$ im Jahr 2019 in Walvis Bay angeklagt waren, wurden am vergangenen Mittwoch von der Swakopmunder Bezirksrichterin Gaynor Poulton in allen Punkten freigesprochen.

Three men charged with illegally possessing and trafficking two elephant tusks worth around N$104,000 in Walvis Bay in 2019 were acquitted on all counts by Swakopmund District Judge Gaynor Poulton last Wednesday.

Friday, 5 August 2022
Smit E 2022. Renosterstropers stel hul visier op plase in.

Volgens die woordvoerder van die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, mnr. Romeo Muyunda, het vanjaar se stroperyvoorvalle 15 gestroopte renosters in die Etosha Nasionale Park, nege renosters op bewaringsplase en nog nege op private plase ingesluit.

According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of the Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Mr. Romeo Muyunda, this year's poaching incidents included 15 poached rhinos in the Etosha National Park, nine rhinos on conservation farms and another nine on private farms.

Thursday, 4 August 2022
2022. Nigeria Customs intercepts 397kg of pangolin scales, arrests 8 suspects.

The Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), has intercepted 397.5 Kilogramme of pangolin scales and arrested 8 suspects in connection with the seizure.

Thursday, 4 August 2022
2022. Rhino poaching numbers increase from 2021.

A total of 82 rhinos have been poached in the Kruger National Park between January and June this year.

Wednesday, 3 August 2022
Hartman A 2022. Three men aquitted of elephant tusk smuggling.

Three men accused of smuggling with elephant tusks in Walvis Bay in 2019, were acquitted of all charges in the Swakopmund's regional court.

Wednesday, 3 August 2022
2022. Our Viewpoint - Rhino poaching.

Almost 260 rhino were poached for their hornsin South Africa in the firstsix months of this year.

Tuesday, 2 August 2022
Valoi E 2022. Notorious rhino kingpin Navara under arrest in Mozambique.

Authorities in Mozambique have arrested "Navara", aka Simon Ernesto Valoi, and an associate in connection with allegedly attempting to sell rhino horns in the country’s capital, Maputo. For many years Navara has had the reputation of being one of the most notorious rhino poaching syndicate leaders in Mozambique. He was arrested with an associate, Paulo Zukula, on July 26 2022 in possession of eight rhino horns.

Tuesday, 2 August 2022
2022. 259 rhinos poached in SA over the last 6 months.

A total of 259 rhinos were poached for their horn in South Africa, over the first six months of 2022.

Tuesday, 2 August 2022
2022. Rhino poaching update shows KwaZulu-Natal now target of choice.

Nationally South Africa lost 259 rhino in the first six months of this year - 10 more than in the corresponding period last year - with concern expressed about the amount of poaching in KwaZulu-Natal and private game reserves. Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Barbara Creecy maintains the "trend" away from what has long been poacher target number one - the Kruger National Park - makes it "important for national government to shift its focus to supporting provincial authorities and private reserves in the war on rhino poaching".

Saturday, 30 July 2022
Chikoti M 2022. Man nabbed for possessing ivory.

Police in Mangochi have arrested a 50-year old man for possession of nine pieces of ivory.

Thursday, 28 July 2022
2022. Snare kills mother zebra and foal at Bisley Nature Reserve.

A zebra and its foal have been found dead, caught in the grip of a snare in the Bisley Nature Reserve.

Thursday, 28 July 2022
Muchiri C 2022. Zim anti-poaching unit receives award.

"This award to the ranger team has come despite operating in the face of adversity, with the results of a positive growth population of rhino." "Under the protection of ATS, the rhino population in Save Valley Conservancy has seen a biological growth rate of 7%, this is above the 5% IUCN recommendation for game reserves protecting rhino, and maintained a poaching mortality rate of below 2%, also IUCN recommended," the WCPA statement read.

Tuesday, 26 July 2022
Hattingh E 2022. Honderde duisende se vee, wild gestroop.

Boere het gister by die landdroshof op Karibib saamgekom om te probeer verhoed dat borgtog aan vermeende vee- en wildstropers toegestaan word. Dit volg nadat daar in die week tussen volmaan en 21 Julie beeste ter waarde van N$135 000, gemsbokke van N$60 000 en sebras van N$9 000 in die omgewing van Otjiwarongo, Karibib en Omaruru gesteel is. 

Tuesday, 26 July 2022
Reiter C 2022. Wilderei nimmt kein Ende.

Am gestrigen Montag versammelten sich Farmer vor dem Magistratsgericht von Karibib, um zu verhindern, dass mutmaßliche Wilderer auf Kaution freigelassen werden. Dies geschah, nachdem in der Woche zwischen Vollmond und dem 21. Juli in der Gegend von Otjiwarongo, Karibib und Omaruru Rinder im Wert von 135 000 N$, Gemsböcke im Wert von 60 000 N$ und Zebras im Wert von 9 000 N$ gestohlen worden waren. Darüber hinaus mussten die Farmer rund 22 000 N$ für Treibstoff, Wachen und Anti-Wilderer-Einheiten bezahlen.

Friday, 22 July 2022
Twahirwa A 2022. East African countries seek cross-border cooperation to combat wildlife trafficking.

Kigali: For many years, East African countries were considered wildlife trafficking hotspots. Now conservation organisations have started to mobilise all stakeholders to combat the illegal trade that targets animals – some to the edge of extinction.

Friday, 22 July 2022
2022. Nigeria: Three foreigners Aarraigned over pangolin, tusk smuggling.

The Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) yesterday brought seven men before the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged illegal possession dealing, assembling, storing, smuggling and trading in pangolin skin and elephant's ivory.

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

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

Wednesday, 20 July 2022
2022. Environment Ministry continues to combat illegal harvesting of protected plants and trees.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) recently announced the confiscation of 75 wood planks that are believed to have been illegally harvested in the Kavango region area after a tip-off from the public, an official said this week. All harvesting of trees and wood, anywhere in Namibia, is governed by the Forest Act and its Regulations. "The planks are believed to have been illegally harvested from farms that are in Ncamagoro in the Kavango West Region," MEFT spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda said in a statement.

Wednesday, 20 July 2022
Smit E 2022. Two arrested for possession of protected plants.

A Namibian and a Chinese national were arrested in Okahandja on Saturday after they were found in possession of 27 protected plant species. The confiscated items included four Elephant's foot plants, 15 Cyphostemma, eight Commiphora, in addition to five plastic bags containing Welwitchia seeds and 12 bags filled with a variety of unidentified seeds. The suspects were arrested after ministry officials followed up on video footage they had obtained, showing two persons collecting the protected plants, reportedly around Usakos.

Wednesday, 20 July 2022
Naidoo D 2022. LOOK: Smugglers jailed for trading nearly one tonne of pangolin scales.

Last week, the People's Court of Hanoi, Vietnam, sentenced three women and one man to a collective 18 years imprisonment for the illegal transportation and trade of 984kg of pangolin scales, one of the largest cases of wildlife trading investigated in Vietnam's history.

Wednesday, 20 July 2022
2022. Two dealers get five years sentence for illegal possession of Government trophy.

Facts before court were that on 1 April 2022 the duo whilst acting together possessed a prescribed trophy namely elephant ivory weighing 25 KG and valued at K 90,467 without a certificate of ownership issued by the Director General the Zambia Wildlife Authority.

Monday, 18 July 2022
Reiter C 2022. Im Besitz von drei Elefantenstosszähnen - Verdächtiger verhaftet.

In einer weiteren gemeinsamen Operation von Beamten des Umweltministeriums, Spezialkräften und der Abteilung für geschützte Ressourcen der namibischen Polizei, wurde ein Verdächtiger in der Sambesi-Region festgenommen, nachdem er im Besitz von drei Elefantenstoßzähnen angetroffen wurde. Er bot die Stoßzähne einem verdeckten Ermittler zum Verkauf an. Der 33 Jahre alte Verdächtige wurde am 14. Juli in Katima Mulilo verhaftet. Die drei Elefantenstoßzähne waren laut des Berichts des Umweltministeriums in 13 Stücke geschnitten.

Monday, 18 July 2022
Pillay Y 2022. Three suspects arrested for poaching at Tala Game Reserve.

Three suspects were arrested for poaching at Tala Game Reserve, outside Pietermaritzburg, after police and a private security company responded to the scene. The three suspects were found with a waterbuck carcass on Saturday.

Monday, 18 July 2022
David M 2022. Two arrested for protected plant species.

Two men were on Saturday arrested after being found in possession of protected plant species at Okahandja.
The duo, a Namibian and Chinese national were found with four Adenia pechuelii (elephant foot) plants; 15xCyphostema plants; eight Commphoras plants; five plastics containing Welwitschia seeds and 12x plastics with differentunidentified seeds. Ministry of Environment spokesperson Romeo Muyunda stated that this came after Ministry officials followed up on avideo in which the two suspects were seen collecting protected plants reportedly in the area of Usakos.

Saturday, 16 July 2022
Wagiet R 2022. Plant poachers arrested for illegally harvesting indigenous plants in Cape Town.

Field rangers at the Tygerberg Nature Reserve managed to apprehend poachers who were illegally removing bulbs and indigenous plants from one of the hiking trails. On Tuesday, 12 July 2022, the Tygerberg Nature Reserve staff were alerted by a visitor to three individuals who seemed to be removing plants from one of the hiking trails.

Sunday, 10 July 2022
2022. A Meerkat that prevents poaching in the Kruger Park.

South Africa, with its abundant wildlife, suffers from a scourge of poaching that has become a significant challenge in the country's national parks. In particular, the poaching of rhinos for their horns has increased dramatically since 2014, so SA National Parks (SANParks) sought out a system that could enable it to successfully counter this: one that could detect movement - specifically of people - in protected areas.

Sunday, 10 July 2022
2022. Rhino poacher nabbed near Gravelotte.

The man, who was arrested on Friday (July 8), will face charges of rhino poaching, the possession of rhino horns and the illegal possession of a firearm. Police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo explained in a statement that the man is one of three men suspected of rhino poaching near Gravelotte.

Saturday, 9 July 2022
2022. Eleven suspected Etosha poachers behind bars.

The environment ministry today released a statement confirming the arrest of 11 suspected poachers during the course of four law enforcement operations undertaken close to the world renowned Etosha National Park since June. Environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda today said the arrests, and confiscation of vehicles, cash and weapons, were the result of joint law and intelligence operations, following the discovery of 11 rhino carcasses at Etosha in June. The rhinos were all killed during poaching incidents.

Saturday, 9 July 2022
Pieterse C 2022. Four Kruger rhinos killed, three dehorned.

Three men who had allegedly poached the four rhinos and were able to dehorn three of them, appeared in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court on Monday July 4.

Friday, 8 July 2022
2022. Uganda's special court clamps down on wildlife crime.

A special court established in Uganda, called the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court, was "critical to the country's economic development", then Chief Justice Bart Katureebe noted at its launch in 2017. "Access to justice in this area has the capacity to promote investment in critical areas of the economy, protection of the environment, public health and ethical trade practices," he said. Between July 2020 and June 2021, the court handled 468 wildlife crime cases.

Wednesday, 6 July 2022
Nakale A 2022. Poaching rife around farm Uitkoms.

Uitkoms - As the population of Farm Uitkoms grows, crimes and social ills such as poaching, stock theft and drug and alcohol abuse are skyrocketing. Farm Uitkoms, housing mainly marginalised Namibians some 160km north-east of Okahandja, is seen as the epitome of self-sustainability in terms of government resettlement efforts. In 2008, retired veteran politician Dr Libertina Amathila, who at the time held the portfolio of Deputy Prime Minister, vigorously spearheaded a campaign that saw the marginalised San community resettled at this farm.

Sunday, 3 July 2022
2022. Three alleged poachers arrested in the Kruger National Park.

Three alleged poachers were arrested in the Kruger National Park after allegedly killing four rhinos on Friday July 1.

Sunday, 3 July 2022
2022. Tourist helps nab alleged rhino poachers in the Kruger National Park.

A tourist who heard gunshots in the Kruger National Park helped rangers arrest three suspected poachers after they allegedly killed and dehorned rhinos.

Sunday, 3 July 2022
2022. Tanzania warns poachers to stop malpractice.

Tanzanian wildlife authorities on Saturday warned poachers to stop the malpractice before they faced the full force of the law.

Friday, 1 July 2022
Mushaukwa A 2022. Minister warns conservancy members against poaching.

The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, has called on members of conservancies to refrain from poaching and misuse of funds. Furthermore, he stated the ministry has unearthed a possible syndicate of poaching, involving conservancy members.

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

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

Wednesday, 29 June 2022
Maromo J 2022. PICS: Cop arrested while using SAPS vehicle to deliver 'injured and traumatised' pangolin for sale.

Pretoria - Two men aged 37 and 52, one a police constable, charged with illegal dealing in pangolin and contravention of the National Environmental Management-Biodiversity (Nemba) Act, have appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court.

Tuesday, 28 June 2022
Smit E 2022. Meer bronne nodig teen stropery.

Kameras sal Etosha help polisieer. Die land se gewysigde oorkoepelende plan teen wildmisdade wil eenvormige benadering vir doeltreffende afdwing van wette verseker.

Cameras will help police Etosha. The country's amended overarching plan against wildlife crimes seeks to ensure a uniform approach to effective law enforcement.

Tuesday, 28 June 2022
Matarise M 2022. Zim poaching levels go down.

Owing to effective conservation methods, wildlife poaching has significantly decreased in Zimbabwe. This was a result of robust anti-poaching systems, coupled with increased patrols and the use of modern technology. Senior area manager for Mana Pools National Park Edmore Ngosi reiterated that poaching levels had gone down significantly over the past five years. "With interventions from the government and conservation partners, we are happy to say that we are on top of the situation as we have seen poaching levels decrease in the entire landscape".

Monday, 27 June 2022
2022. Namibia plagued by lack of data on pangolin growth and mortality rates.

A national report on Wildlife Protection and Law Enforcement released recently said that Namibia has inadequate data about the Temminck's ground pangolin's distribution, density, and the impact poaching has on the population. The Temminck ground pangolin is one of the four species found in Africa and the only species in southern Africa. According to the report, only discovered carcasses of pangolins give a relative indication of the extent of poaching. Still, it is not known how many occur in Namibia nor how many are successfully trafficked out of the country.

Monday, 27 June 2022
Steffen F 2022. Nun sind es zwölf gewilderte Etoscha-Rhinos.

Vor knapp zehn Tagen gab das Ministerium für Umwelt, Forstwirtschaft und Tourismus (MEFT) bekannt, dass ihre Mitarbeiter im Etoscha-Nationalpark seit Anfang Juni 2022 elf Nashornkadaver entdeckt hätten (AZ berichtete). Nun gab MEFT-Pressesprecher Romeo Muyunda bekannt, dass ihm ein weiterer Fall bekannt sei, wodurch die Zahl der gewilderten Nashörner auf zwölf zu stehen kommt.

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