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Vietnamese syndicates play an outsized, sophisticated role in the illicit trade of elephant ivory, rhinoceros horn, pangolin scales, and other wildlife products, according to a recent undercover investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency that details sourcing, packing, and transporting ivory and rhino horn through an intricate maze of transport routes out of various African ports to Malaysia, then through Laos, and finally overland into Vietnam. The numbers are staggering.

R155 billion!

A Mozambican national has been sentenced to ten years behind bars for killing a rhino at Kruger National Park in Skukuza while serving another jail sentence for a similar offence. The Skukuza Regional Court has sentenced a Mozambican national, Lucky Mabunda, 47, to 10 years of direct imprisonment for killing a rhino in Skukuza National Park in 2019.

Vanjaar is 39 renosters tot dusver in Namibië gestroop, vergeleke met 92 in 2022 en 50 in 2021. Die minister van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, Pohamba Shifeta, het hierdie syfers gedeel by die herdenking van Wêreldrenosterdag Vrydag by Okaukuejo in die Etosha Nasionale Park. By die geleentheid het die minister ook amptelik 'n perde-teenstropingseenheid van stapel gestuur. Die ministerie het altesaam 13 perde teen N$10 000 elk gekoop, met finansieringshulp van die Wildprodukte- rustfonds.

The anti-poaching drive was strengthened with the recent launch of two Rhino Management plans and a horse patrol unit last week at the Etosha National Park on Friday. Speaking at the commemoration of World Rhino Day, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Pohamba Shifeta said the day is dedicated to raising awareness about the threats that the rhino population is facing and how the world can come together and protect these endangered species.

Für die Erhaltung und den Schutz der Nashörner führt das Ministerium laut Pohamba daher den Einsatz einer Pferdeeinheit ein. Insgesamt 13 Pferde wurden vom Ministerium mit finanzieller
Unterstützung des "Game Product Trust Fund" für jeweils 10 000 N$ gekauft. Demnach werden
acht Pferde im Etosha-Nationalpark stationiert sein und fünf im Waterberg-Plateau-Park.

Namibia strengthened its anti-poaching drive by launching two rhino preservation plans and a horse patrol unit at the country's Etosha National Park on Friday. Speaking at the commemoration of World Rhino Day, which falls on 22 September every year, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta said the day is dedicated to raising awareness of the threats facing the rhino population, and how the world can come together to protect these endangered species.

This year, 39 rhinos have been poached so far in Namibia, compared to 92 in 2022 and 50 in 2021. Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta presented these figures at the commemoration of World Rhino Day on Friday at Okaukuejo in Etosha National Park. At the event, the minister also officially launched a horse anti-poaching unit. A total of 13 horses have been purchased by the ministry for N$10 000 each, with funding support from the Game Product Trust Fund.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has launched a new initiative to fight against rhino poaching. Speaking at the launch of the initiative, which coincided with the commemoration of the World Rhino Day hosted at Okaukejo over the weekend, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said Namibia has the second-largest white Rhino population in the world after South Africa and the largest population of black Rhinos in the world. However, Shifeta said that rhinos have become an endangered species, and, in some areas, they have even become extinct…

As the globe observes World Rhino Day, South Africa has lost 231 rhinos to poaching since the beginning of the year.

South Africa has lost 231 rhinos to poaching since the beginning of the year.

As the international community marks World Rhino Day on Friday, South Africa and other parts of the African continent are still facing the challenge of rhino poaching. The International Rhino Foundation says poachers have shifted their focus from the larger rhino populations to smaller, and possibly more susceptible ones. In South Africa, poachers are focusing on smaller areas, like the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, which has borne the brunt of South Africa’s rhino poaching deaths in the past year. While Namibia, home to the…

Campbell's death was as gruesome as the killers' previous nine known crimes. Found mutilated in a pool of blood at his home in the district of Albany, South Africa, in June 2016, Campbell had been drugged but was likely in pain before he died from his injuries. Campbell was a white rhinoceros living on a private reserve, and his killing would be the last hurrah of the now notorious Ndlovu Gang.

There are around 26 000 rhinos left in the world. 68% of those live in South Africa. By far the majority of them are Southern White Rhinos, which are particularly vulnerable to poaching, because most of them are found in the open Savannah of national parks, making them easy targets. There are four other remaining species of rhino. The Black Rhino, of which there are around 6000, is found in southern and east Africa. The other African species, the Northern White Rhino, is effectively extinct, as the two remaining are both female.

Pangolin poaching for enhanced sexual pleasure on the increase. The Commander of Botswana Defence Force, Lieutenant General Placid Segokgo, has warned that poaching will continue to be part of our lives for as long as some countries in Asia cling to their beliefs that some organs of wild animals give them sexual powers. Addressing journalists at a recent press briefing, Segokgo said, “There are some people in the East who believe that consuming or applying samples of organs such as horns, teeth, or even skins enhance their sexual…

South African National Parks (SANParks) recently introduced new measures to help combat poaching in the country's biggest national parks. Building on last year’s donation of four Bat Hawk surveillance aircraft to aid surveillance, conservation,and anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park, Anglo American Platinum donated another BatHawk last week that will be going to SANParks' Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape.

Building on last year's donation of four Bat Hawk surveillance aircraft to South African National Parks (SANParks) to aid surveillance, conservation and anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park, Anglo American Platinum this morning donated another Bat Hawk that will be going to SANParks' Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. In addition, a Bat Hawk aircraft will be donated to Mapungubwe National Park, which is located on the border of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

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.

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.

Liberian Moazu Kromah - known as "Kampala Man" - led one of the most active wildlife-trafficking syndicates on the African continent before his arrest in the Ugandan capital in February 2017. Just more than five years later, in March 2022, more than 11,000km away from the city in which he based his operation and from which his alias derives, Kromah quietly entered into a plea bargain with the Southern District of New York (SDNY), which is known for tackling high-profile organised crime and corruption cases.

Following the poaching of 11 rhinos in the Etosha National Park in the past month, the Namibian Government stepped up wildlife security and strategic plans to ensure maximum protection of Namibia's iconic species. This includes the immediate deployment of retired Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa to Etosha National Park.

The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) and Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF) recently announced a long-term landmark partnership focused on better comprehending the current state of knowledge about the illegal wildlife trade (IWT), and the economics of IWT in southern Africa.

Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta has confirmed suspicions that some of the ministry’s rangers are part of syndicates causing poaching havoc in the Etosha National Park. Yesterday he confirmed that retired Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa, the head of the wildlife protection unit, has been redeployed from Windhoek to Etosha with immediate effect. "There was too much complacency from our staff in Etosha and there were inside jobs," he told Namibian Sun late yesterday.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta has redeployed retired police commander Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa to lead anti-poaching efforts in the Etosha National Park. The national park has been hard-hit by poachers in recent weeks, including the discovery of 11 rhino carcasses.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is investigating some of its workers at Etosha National Park for possibly playing a part in the rhino poaching syndicate which recently left 11 of the mammals dead. Addressing the media yesterday environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said they suspect the "act" was an inside job. All the rhinos killed were also dehorned. He said the ministry is broadening investigations to determine whether its workers were complicit in the matter.

"Wir haben neu organisiert und Änderungen in der AWE vorgenommen", kündigte der Minister gestern auf einer Presskonferenz an. Der Leiter der AWE, Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa ist jetzt in Etoscha und bleibt dort stationiert und wird einige Änderungen vornehmen. „Unsere Leute waren zu selbstzufrieden (complacent). Wir müssen auch annehmen, dass Personal wahrscheinlich Informationen über die Nashörner an die Wilderer weitergegeben haben kann, also ein 'inside job' sagte der Minister.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has confirmed that it has moved to make security adjustments and to close any loopholes in Etosha National Park to ensure that wildlife crimes, poaching incidences, in particular, do not occur again.

New strategy aimed at defining common approaches for the protection and conservation of wildlife and to ensure the effective enforcement of laws governing wildlife resources in Namibia.

Die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme het verskeie veiligheidsaanpassings in die Etosha Nasionale Park gemaak sedert die karkasse van 11 gestroopte swartrenosters gevind is. Een van die stappe is die herontplooiing met onmiddellike effek van afgetrede kommissaris Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa, hoof van die wildbeskermingseenheid, na die park. Twee uit 'n groep van vyf verdagtes wat probeer het om renosters in die park te jag, is ook verlede week vasgetrek.

Durban - Two suspects are expected to appear in court on Monday after the Hawks arrested them for being in possession of two ‘recently extracted’ rhino horns, while travelling from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng.

Georgina Savage's consummate and comprehensive podcast, The Invisible Hand, grants the listener a front-row seat to this conflict. Born in Johannesburg then moving to Australia at the age of six (picking up the accent you will hear in the podcast’s narration), Savage was drawn back to the country in which she grew up. "The Kruger has always been embedded in my childhood experience; in my sense of home, or at least my home country," she says over the phone.

Two alleged rhino poachers in connection with the 11 rhinos poached in Etosha National park have been apprehended, an official said this week. The ongoing police operation at Etosha National Park led to the arrest of two rhino poachers on Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said, adding that investigations are at an advanced stage.

Ongwediva - A daring raid inside Namibia's most popular and well-protected national parks by poachers left a suspect and a police officer fighting for their lives. The attempt by poachers was foiled by police on Thursday around 04h40 and two suspected poachers were arrested. When the police approached, the would-be poachers opened fire on the security personnel resulting in the officers responding with more fire. A 19-old-year old suspected poacher and a 37-year-old police officer were injured during the exchange of fire.

More than 40% of the 987 suspects arrested in connection with elephant and rhino wildlife crimes over the past five years are currently free on bail. Statistics show that 415 of the close to 1 000 persons arrested on elephant and rhino crime charges were released on bail, while only 142 of those detained since 2017 have been convicted of their crimes to date. Meanwhile, more than 87% of the 987 arrested suspects are Namibians. This is according to statistics shared by deputy commissioner Barry de Klerk, head of the protected resources division and the Blue Rhino Task Team.

Namibia will soon make use of DNA analysis in forensic investigations into animal abuse and crimes such as illegal smuggling, poaching and the illegal trade in protected species. Using DNA analysis will make it possible to identify the species and geographical origin, such as the population of a forensic sample, and to also individualise the sample with high levels of probability. Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga this week announced that the capacitation of the new National Forensic Science Institute of Namibia is at an advanced stage.

Meer as 40% van die 987 verdagtes wat sedert 2017 weens olifant- en renosterwildmisdade in hegtenis geneem is, is op borgtog vrygelaat. Statistieke toon 415 van dié verdagtes is tans op borgtog, terwyl slegs 142 skuldig bevind is. Daarbenewens is meer as 87% Namibiërs. Die hoof van die eenheid vir beskermde hulpbronne en die Blou Renoster-taakspan, adj.komm. Barry de Klerk, het dié statistieke by die Nasionale Belanghebbersforum oor Wildmisdaad en Wetstoepassing gedeel.

Two male suspects were arrested on Thursday in connection with the poaching of 11 rhinos in Etosha National Park. This was confirmed by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda. "They were arrested yesterday and, at this stage, no further information can be given as investigations are still premature," Muyunda said. Earlier this week, the ministry issued a statement saying the carcasses were discovered during ongoing operations in Etosha National Park. The carcasses are suspected to be three weeks and older, according to the report.

Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta says the recent discoveries of 11 dead rhinos are an indication that the country needs to up its game in curbing wildlife crime. This comes after the rhino carcasses were discovered at Etosha National Park, since the beginning of June to date, with their horns removed.

Amidst shocking discoveries of wildlife poaching incidents in the country recently, such as the 11 black rhinos killed in Etosha recently, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta on Wednesday launched the first ever National Stakeholder Forum on Wildlife Protection and Law Enforcement to strengthen the fight against the crimes. Shifeta said Namibia has experienced a massive surge in wildlife crime over the past decade, driven by increased global demand for illegal wildlife products.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) on Tuesday confirmed that with an ongoing operation in Etosha National Park, 11 rhino carcasses from the beginning of June to date have been discovered. MEFT spokesperson Romeo Muyunda in a statement said all the 11 were found without horns and they were black rhinos. "Investigations indicate that the carcasses range between 3 weeks and older. This is regrettable and a strong indication that the fight against poaching is not over," he added.

The Environment and Tourism Ministry says it has discovered 11 rhino carcasses at the Etosha National Park since the beginning of this month. According to the ministry's spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, investigations indicate the carcasses are at least three weeks old. "This is regrettable and a strong indication that the fight against poaching is not over," he said. To date, 22 rhinos have been poached this year.

The huge police operation launched after the discovery of two poached rhinos on the north-western side of the Etosha National Park has led to the gruesome find of another nine rhinos killed. All the animals are critically endangered black rhinos. According to Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, this brings the total number of rhinos poached in six months to 22.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife says the improved and random deployment of field ranges, police officers and K9 units have made life difficult for poachers. Three suspected poachers were arrested last week before they could kill a rhino inside the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park in northern KZN. This brings the number of alleged poachers caught inside the park this year to five.

Three people were arrested for alleged poaching inside the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park in the northern KwaZulu-Natal. This was confirmed by the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife on Sunday, which said the trio were arrested before they could kill a rhino. The first man was arrested on June 6 and two others were caught two days later. These arrest bring the number of alleged poachers caught inside the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park this year to five. "The Park has been under siege since the beginning of 2022.

Four dangerous poachers, who have allegedly been hunting rhinos using a rifle fitted with a telescope and silencer in Livingstone's Mosi-Oa Tunya National Park, have been arrested.

Since the beginning of 2022, more than 100 rhinos have been poached in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province. This staggering toll compares to 102 rhinos poached in the Province during the whole of 2021, and 93 in the whole of 2020. Unless this trend is urgently reversed, 2022 could end with a new KZN poaching record, going beyond the horrific 222 rhino poaching deaths recorded in 2017. The recent increase in poaching in KZN is likely due to several factors. First, there has been a devastating decline in the number of rhinos in the Kruger National Park.

As several stories have revealed across different platforms of late, most pertinently in the long delayed release of the Rhino Report in Daily Maverick of 31 May, poaching in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park has boomed. There is little argument among conservation bodies about the numbers - some 95 rhinos have been poached in the park so far this year. It drew to mind an interview I recorded with former Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, in about 2013 for a multimedia eBook I was producing called, iRhino.

The exploits of three Kenyans charged in a US court with ivory and rhino horn trafficking have brought the war against poaching back to focus. Abubakar Mansur Mohammed Surur, 62, who pleaded guilty to poaching charges in a US court, and his accomplices made Sh864.8 million in seven years from the illegal sale of ivory and rhinoceros horns.

Cape Town - SANParks Honorary Rangers is hard at work to stop rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park and all SANParks areas with assistance and collaboration from Rhino Tears, a wine brand, that donates towards the rangers with every bottle sold.

Smugglers are getting more creative in the way they conceal contraband - such as rhino horn - out of South Africa.