Search results

Five of the suspects were arrested for rhino poaching and/or trafficking cases, while two wildlife products, five firearms and 63 rounds of ammunition were seized during operations.

For the second week, statistics indicate that only one wildlife crime has been recorded per week. The tightening of anti-poaching security measures during the coronavirus state of emergency is paying off, with only one new wildlife crime case registered last week, while two suspects were arrested.

A Chinese national was granted bail last week in a poaching case involving two rhino horns.

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.

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.

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.