Search results

The Ministry of Environment has banned the export of white rhinos. This export ban mainly refers to the fact that the animals may not be used for breeding purposes outside their natural range. Apparently, 163 rhinos have already been born in breeding programs.

The High Court granted an interdict this week ?? which keeps Ottilie Ndimulunde from carrying out mining operations and building a road or anything else on her mine mines in the Khorixas area. The interdict will be valid pending the outcome of a review application to the Environment Commissioner against the Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) issued. The Doro ! Nawas Conservation Area, Ûibasen Twyfelfontein Conservation Area, the ≠Aodaman Traditional Authority and the company Ultimate Safaris have brought an urgent application against Ndimulunde.

Following the export of 42 white rhinos from Namibia to the USA in a private sale, the environment ministry last week said it aims to introduce stricter exporting regulations. The 42 white rhinos, purchased from Kifaru Luxury Lodge and Bush Camp near Outjo, landed safely in Texas, USA, after being airlifted from Hosea Kutako Airport and transported on a Boeing 747.

Two American hunters have applied to import black rhino hunting trophies from Namibia. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service requested comments with regards to the two applications - one from a hunter in Texas and another from a hunter in Florida. "We invite the (American) public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act," a statement read. Comments must be received by 24 October. The rhinos - Lippie and Willem, aged 28 and 31 - were hunted in Namibia.

A comprehensive new guide has been published to assist law enforcement agencies to identify trafficked ivory. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) secretariat, TRAFFIC and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have published the Identification Guide for Ivory and Ivory Substitutes. It is a comprehensive and accessible resource for identifying the most commonly found ivories and artificial substitutes used for trade.

Six suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crimes and three new cases were opened recently, while seized products included python, leopard and pangolin skins.

In the first cooperation between US law enforcement and the Namibian police, four suspected pangolin traffickers were recently arrested in Namibia. According to a statement by the US embassy in Namibia, time-sensitive information was received by the Homeland Security Investigations office in Pretoria relating to the imminent illegal sale of a live pangolin.

The Game Product Trust Fund (GPTF) has become increasingly important in protecting wildlife due to a lack of funding from government. The GPTF has committed funding of more than N$5.58 million to several activities in the environment and tourism sector during the 2018/19 financial year. This information is contained in the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia 2018/19 annual report that has just been made public. "The GPTF's role has become more important than ever. It has stepped in and filled the void that has been left by a lack of funding from the government.

Eight suspects were arrested last week in connection with wildlife crimes. These suspects were arrested in three separate cases and a total of five illegal wildlife products were seized, which included a lion skin, three leopard skins and a live pangolin.