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.
A rhino poacher was killed while another was injured during a shootout between an antipoaching unit and three rhino poachers on Saturday on a private farm about 120 km east of Windhoek. The injured poacher was arrested, and the third accomplice, who initially fled the scene, was arrested on Monday morning. Owner of Namibia Wildlife Protection, Salmon Vermaak, whose anti-poaching unit (APU) is stationed on the farm, said the team leader informed him about 11:30 on Saturday that they had spotted a poacher tracking a rhino cow and her calf.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2023_01_Poacher killed during skirmish with anti-poaching Unit_Namibian Sun.pdf | 334.26 KB |
'n Vermeende renosterstroper is dood en nog een gewond tydens 'n skietery Saterdag tussen 'n teenstropingseenheid en drie vermeende stropers op 'n plaas sowat 120 km oos van Windhoek. Die beseerde stroper is in hegtenis geneem en die derde verdagte wat aanvanklik op die vlug geslaan het, is gisteroggend in hegtenis geneem. Die eienaar van Namibia Wildlife Protection, Salmon Vermaak, wie se teenstropingseenheid op die plaas gestasioneer is, sê die spanleier het hom omstreeks 11:30 Saterdag laat weet ’n vermeende stroper is opgemerk waar hy 'n renosterkoei en haar kalf volg.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2023_01_Stroper sterf in Skermutseling_Republikein.pdf | 297.03 KB |
NAM_2023_01_Poacher dies in skirmish_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 287.06 KB |
Twee Angolese mans is Vrydag in die Orwetoveni-nedersetting in Otjiwarongo in hegtenis geneem, nadat hulle in besit van die vel van 'n ietermagô betrap is. Die waarde van die vel is N$50 000. In 'n onverwante voorval is 'n 31-jarige Namibiër Vrydag by die Buffalo-kontrolepunt in die Mukwe-kiesafdeling in die Kavango-Oostreek met twee olifanttande betrap.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2023_01_Drie in hegtenis vir wildmisdaad_Republikein.pdf | 229.19 KB |
NAM_2023_01_Three arrested for wildlife crime_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 243.71 KB |
Two Angolan men were arrested on Friday at the Orwetoveni township in Otjiwarongo for being in the possession of a pangolin skin valued at N$50 000. In a separate incident, a 31-year-old Namibian was arrested on Friday at Buffalo checkpoint in the Mukwe constituency (Kavango East region) for being in possession of two elephant tusks. The value thereof has not been determined.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2023_01_Just in_Three arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 287.21 KB |
Last year ended with one of the highest rhino poaching figures recorded in almost a decade. A total of 77 rhinos were poached in 2022 compared to 2021 when 45 rhinos were killed for their horns. Last year's figure is the third highest recorded since 2013, only surpassed by the 97 rhinos poached in 2015 and 84 killed by poachers in 2018.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2023_01_77 rhinos and 4 elephants poached in 2022_Namibian Sun.pdf | 350.46 KB |
Zahlen auf dritthöchstem Stand - Weniger Elefanten getötet. Auf der einen Seite sind die Zahlen erschreckend, auf der anderen machen sie Mut. Während bei der Nashorn-Wilderei die Summe der getöteten Tiere den dritthöchsten Stand seit 2013 erreicht hat, ist die Summe der zum Opfer gefallenen Elefanten seit 2016 jedes Jahr um die Hälfte gesunken.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2023_01_Sorge uber Nashorn Wilderei_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 363.33 KB |
NAM_2023_01_Concern about rhino poaching_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 344.74 KB |
Verlede jaar het geëindig met een van die hoogste renosterstroperysyfers in byna 'n dekade. Altesaam 77 renosters is verlede jaar gestroop - 32 meer as in 2021. Volgens die jongste statistieke wat deur die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme bekend gemaak is, is verlede jaar se syfers die derde hoogste sedert 2013. Die twee hoogste syfers is in 2015 en 2018 aangeteken met onderskeidelik 97 en 84 renosters wat in daardie jare gestroop is.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2023_01_77 renosters en 4 olifante in 2022 gestroop_Republikein.pdf | 349.9 KB |
NAM_2023_01_77 rhinos and 4 elephants poached in 2022_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 365.02 KB |
Thirteen suspects have been arrested for wildlife crimes and six new cases were opened within the past two weeks. A total of 19 illegal wildlife products were confiscated in these crimes, according to information provided by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resource division within the safety and security ministry. Five vehicles were also seized.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_13 arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 287.08 KB |
Intelligence Support Against Poaching (ISAP) recently held a course on how to handle a poaching scene correctly. The animal crime scene and evidence handling course took place from 16 to 19 July, and was presented by Wildlife Vets Namibia. Participants included veterinarians, lodge managers, wildlife farmers, members of crime prevention forums, hunting farm owners, students and representatives of the tourism industry.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_Securing a poaching scene_Namibian Sun.pdf | 420.05 KB |
Ten suspects were arrested recently in connection with wildlife crimes and four new cases have been registered. Seven of the suspects were arrested for elephant poaching or trafficking cases, while another suspect was arrested in connection with a rhino poaching case.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_10 arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 297.56 KB |
“The Mexico case showed a discrepancy between the exporter and importer data – Namibia registered an export of nine elephants while Mexico claimed it received 18. Interestingly, the exports were conducted under an Appendix I listing, even though elephants in Namibia are listed in Appendix II.” It was pointed out in the report that the annotation for the Appendix II listing specifies that trade in live elephants from Namibia is strictly for “in situ conservation programmes”, meaning no live elephants may be exported beyond their natural range.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_Namibias trade in live elephants 2nd in Africa_Namibian Sun.pdf | 403.97 KB |
Tien verdagtes is in hegtenis geneem in verband met wildmisdaad en vier nuwe sake is aanhangig gemaak. Sewe van die verdagtes is in hegtenis geneem vir olifantstropery of -handel, terwyl ’n ander verdagte gearresteer is in verband met renosterstropery.
Ten suspects have been arrested in connection with game crime and four new cases have been filed. Seven of the suspects were arrested for elephant poaching or trafficking, while another suspect was arrested in connection with rhino poaching.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_10 vas vir wildmisdaad_Republikein.pdf | 347.67 KB |
NAM_2020-07_10 arrested for wildlife crime_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 245.51 KB |
Annual illicit income generated from ivory and rhino horn trafficking between 2016 and 2018 was estimated at US$400 million and US$230 million respectively. The illegal global trade in ivory and rhino horn has declined, while trafficking of pangolins has soared, according to a United Nations report based on four years of data.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_Demand for ivory rhino horn drops_Namibian Sun.pdf | 385.99 KB |
Two new cases of wildlife crime were reported last week and three suspects were arrested, while two men found guilty of the illegal possession of a live pangolin were fined N$20 000 or 48 months in prison. Four illegal wildlife products were also seized, which included one elephant tail and three live tortoises.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_Hefty fines for pangolin smuggling_Namibian Sun.pdf | 294.64 KB |
Four new dogs will be imported from the Netherlands to beef up the environment ministry's anti-poaching dog unit, which has helped arrest suspects in 52 poaching cases so far. The four dogs at Waterberg are trained to search buildings, vehicles, luggage and open areas for firearms, ammunition and illegal wildlife products such as ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales and bush meat.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_Anti_poaching dog unit given teeth_Namibian Sun.pdf | 390.72 KB |
Namibia is experiencing a reduction in wildlife poaching incidents, while more arrests have been recorded. This is according to environment minister Pohamba Shifeta, who gave a breakdown of rhino, elephant and pangolin poaching incidents and arrests dating back to 2018. This year, 17 rhinos have been poached, compared to 46 last year and 78 in 2018. A total of 89 suspects has been arrested for rhino poaching cases this year, compared to 175 last year and 109 in 2018. Shifeta said 15 rhino horns have been seized this year, compared to eight last year and 16 in 2018.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_Poaching incidents declining_Namibian Sun.pdf | 309.68 KB |
Local organisations supporting conservation in Namibia have seen their budgets slashed by up to 30%, as the coronavirus pandemic significantly impacts the world's economy. Among these organisations are Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT), Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) and the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), which provide critical field-based support to trackers and rhino rangers.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_B2Gold project steps in to save rhinos_Namibian sun.pdf | 396.59 KB |
Die Finansiële Aksie-taakmag beskryf in sy eerste verslag oor wildmisdaad dit as 'n internasionale bedreiging wat verbind kan word met georganiseerde misdaad soos slawerny, dwelm- en wapensmokkelary. Volgens die verslag is daar 'n gebrek aan fokus op die finansiële aspek van wildmisdaad en stel voor alle regerings moet wette op geldwassery implementeer. Die studie se bevindings is gebaseer op die insette van 50 lande, Namibië ingesluit, wat lid is van die Oostelike en Suider-Afrika Teengeldwasserygroep (ESAAMLG). 'n Totaal van 22 uit 45 lande het aangedui dat hulle…
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_Optrede teen wildstropery nodig_Republikein.pdf | 350.11 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Action against poaching needed_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 350.51 KB |
FATF-Mitgliedsländer sollen illegalen Wildtierhandel bestrafen In einem ersten globalen Bericht über den illegalen Handel mit Wildtieren hat die Arbeitsgruppe für Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung von Geldwäsche und Terrorismusfinanzierung (Financial Action Task Force, FATF) diesen als globale Bedrohung beschrieben, vergleichbar mit organisierten Verbrechen wie Sklaverei, Drogen- und Waffenhandel.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_Wildtierkriminalitat im Fokus_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 263.32 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Focus on wildlife crime_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 261.96 KB |
Nine suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crimes and four new cases were registered last week. Four of the suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching or trafficking, while one suspect was arrested and charged with elephant poaching. This is according to the latest statistics provided by the intelligence and investigation unit in the environment ministry and the protected resource division within the safety and security ministry. A total of seven wildlife products were seized, which included a rhino horn, five elephant tusks and a…
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_Nine arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 300.18 KB |
In its first global report on the illegal wildlife trade, the Financial Action Task Force (FAFT) has described it as a global threat with links to other organised crimes such as slavery, drug trafficking and the arms trade. The report expressed concern over the lack of focus on the financial aspects of wildlife crime and suggested that all member governments should apply money-laundering laws. The findings of the study are based on inputs from countries in 50 jurisdictions, including Namibia, which is a member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering…
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-07_Illegal wildlife trade must be punished_Namibian Sun.pdf | 303.25 KB |