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The European Union (EU) has rejected Namibia's application to allow strictly controlled trade in rhino horns. Namibia wanted to sell horns from legal sources - such as dead animals or horns cut under supervision, i.e. dehorned horns - in order to generate income for the protection of the animals and thereby weaken the black market. However, the EU remains firm in its rejection and warns that legal trade is more likely to increase demand, encourage poaching and make it easier to smuggle illegal goods into legal channels.

The large-scale blasting at the Goantagab mine in the Sorris Sorris conservancy near Khorixas last Friday has reignited debate over the potential threat to desert-adapted rhinos, tourism and the interests of traditional leaders. On Tuesday, Dâure Daman Traditional Authority chief Zacharias Seibeb threatened to relocate three rhinos from the area to Etosha National Park to make way for tin exploration.

Two people, aged 17 and 25, have been arrested by members of an anti-poaching unit of Etosha National Park and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism after they were allegedly found in possession of carcasses of protected game and huntable game birds valued at N$91 800. The incident happened at Oshivelo in the Oshikoto region on Saturday. A police spokesperson on Sunday said the suspects are expected to appear in the Tsumeb Magistrate's court on Monday.

Globally, one in five plants are close to extinction. That is equivalent to 40% of our flora vanishing in the next decades. The global demand for endemic and rare plant species has increased because many covet them for their aesthetics and ornamental use. In southern Africa countries such as Namibia, which has about 400 to 700 endemic plant species, they are significantly targeted by plant poachers. A prominent Namibian botanist, Antje Burke, believes some Namibian succulent plants are under more threat of extinction than black rhinos.

A leading conservationist in South Africa, charged with smuggling rhino horns worth $14 million, has insisted he has "nothing to hide". In a statement, John Hume, the former owner of what is thought to be the world's largest rhino farm, denies allegations that he trafficked the horns from South Africa to South East Asia. Hume (83) and five others, including a lawyer and a game reserve manager, have appeared in court on 55 charges, including theft, money laundering and fraud.

Of the 6 060 arrests made in connection with wildlife crime cases since 2015, only 1 802 resulted in convictions by the end of 2024 - a conviction rate of just 30%. By the end of 2024, 1 738 of the 2 845 wildlife crime cases registered since 2015 remained unresolved, a new report has revealed. The Namibia National Report on Wildlife Protection for 2024 notes that these figures highlight shortcomings in gathering sufficient evidence during investigations, effectively proving guilt during prosecutions, finalising cases in court and ultimately, delivering justice.

Just around 7% of all suspects arrested for rhino-related crimes in Namibia over the past decade had been convicted by the end of 2024. Since 2015, when the current rhino poaching crisis first peaked, 726 rhinos have been recorded as poached in Namibia by last year. According to the Namibia National Report on Wildlife Protection for 2024, proactive law enforcement has led to the arrest of 855 suspects accused of rhino-related crimes. However, the report notes that the lack of serious consequences for such offences remains a major challenge for rhino conservation and protection in…

Namibia's succulents are being poached at levels that could quickly wipe out entire species, and that for a global ornamental plant market largely unaware of the damage being caused. According to the Namibia National Wildlife Protection and Law Enforcement Report for 2024, live-plant trafficking poses a massive threat to Namibian succulents and pachycauls. Large numbers of live plants were once again seized in 2024, although the number of arrests and seizures was lower than in 2023.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has launched a community reward fund to encourage the reporting of poaching activities to help curb wildlife crimes in the Zambezi region. Namibia has lost over 631 rhinos to poaching over the last 10 years and just over 220 elephants, although the number of poached elephants has significantly declined in recent years. Saisai says compensation varies according to species, adding that if a community member provides a tip on a buffalo being poached, they would be paid N$1 000.

Onankali, has launched an operation to combat the illegal sale of firewood at Omuthiya and surrounding villages. The initiative has already resulted in several confiscations of illegally harvested wood, Omuthiya Town Council spokesperson Martha Andreas said on Friday. Directorate of Forestry officials also used the opportunity to inform wood vendors about the correct processes for harvesting, transporting, and selling firewood. "Our people should know that permits are mandatory for all firewood-related activities," Andreas emphasised.

Two Belgian 19-year-olds have pleaded guilty to wildlife piracy - part of a growing trend of trafficking 'less conspicuous' creatures for sale as exotic pets. Poaching busts are familiar territory for the officers of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), an armed force tasked with protecting the country's iconic creatures. But what awaited guards when they descended in early April on a guesthouse in the west of the country was both larger and smaller in scale than the smuggling operations they typically encounter. There were more than 5,000 smuggled animals, caged in their own enclosures…

The Namibian Police's regional commander in Oshana, commissioner Lungameni Sackaria, says poaching activities have reduced drastically since he took over the 'Yesa Ongava' anti-poaching operation in Etosha National Park. Sackaria on Thursday said police officers stationed in the national park have been working tirelessly to combat poaching activities with strong coordination among the police force. He said since taking over the reins of the operation, poaching incidents in Etosha National Park have decreased from 30 to eight incidents recorded only.

Two Windhoek High Court judges have reduced an effective prison term of nine years to which a Zambezi region resident was sentenced for dealing in elephant tusks to five years’ imprisonment. Sipangule Kushonya's sentence was lowered in an appeal judgement delivered by judges Naomi Shivute and Philanda Christiaan yesterday. Kushonya (39) was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment, of which three years were suspended for a period of five years, in April 2022, after he had been found guilty in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate's Court on a charge of dealing in two elephant tusks.

A seal products company owner accused of illegally trying to export seal genitals from Namibia has been granted bail in an amount of N$50 000, after spending two months in custody. Chinese citizen Hou Xuecheng (48) was granted bail in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court at Katutura on Friday. Magistrate Wilka Amalwa ordered that Hou should surrender all of his travelling documents to the police officer investigating the case in which he was arrested nearly nine weeks ago and that he may not interfere with state witnesses or the investigation of his case while free on bail.

With rising cases of human-wildlife conflict across Namibia, a recent report has recommended that the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism introduce annual culling of problematic wildlife in all regions. This measure, determined by each region's carrying capacity, aims to reduce conflicts and safeguard both human lives and livelihoods. This recommendation is part of a report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources on the Motion on Human-Wildlife Conflict.

Influential Chinese businesswoman Qiaoxia 'Stina' Wu is under investigation for allegedly attempting to smuggle seal genitals from Namibia to China in December. The shipment, which was not accompanied by the proper documentation, was discovered to be undervalued. Chinese authorities in Hong Kong had flagged the shipment and alerted Namibia that suspicious cargo from Namibia, not accompanied by the relevant Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) documentation, had been intercepted.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism says 570 pangolins have been poached in Namibia since 2018. In a media statement to celebrate World Pangolin Day on Saturday, ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the ministry has reaffirmed its dedication to protecting the nation's pangolins, highlighting their ecological importance and the urgent need to combat threats such as habitat loss and illegal trafficking.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta has confirmed that a large tree that was felled last year in Helao Nafidi in the Ohangwena Region was used by criminals to conduct illegal activities. However, he emphasised that harming natural resources should always be a last resort. He urged law enforcement agencies to explore alternative methods of managing crime, rather than resorting to environmental damage. "At this stage the ministry is still investigating if this was part of the preventative measure or if it was simply an oversight on the part of the town council.

The establishment of a first-of-its-kind specialised Environmental Crimes Court in Otjiwarongo has made notable progress in adjudicating wildlife-related crime cases since it began operations at the start of the year. Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the environment ministry, said the development of the court required careful planning among key government stakeholders, including the Office of the Prosecutor General, the justice ministry and the judiciary.

The police in the Ohangwena region have arrested two men aged 26 and 51 found in possession of pangolin skin worth N$50 000 at Okongo on Tuesday. Ohangwena police crime investigations coordinator, deputy commissioner Melanie Mbuuru, said the suspects were arrested around 11h15 at a shopping complex in the Okongo district. According to Mbuuru, the suspects face charges of the possession of protected game products without a permit. The suspects are expected to appear before the Eenhana Magistrate’s Court this week. Police investigations into the matter continue.

Conservationists have raised the alarm about the rapid decline in Nigeria’s lion population, which now stands at fewer than 50 wild lions; a stark contrast to the thousands that roamed the country decades ago. They urged Nigerians to protect lions by reducing illegal bushmeat consumption, supporting better protection of their shrinking habitat, and championing anti-poaching measures. The experts also cautioned that losing these apex predators would have devastating consequences for Nigeria’s ecosystems and cultural heritage, as well as its tourism potential.

A fromer police officer who was kicked out of the Namibian Police after being arrested on rhino-poaching and firearms charges has lost a Supreme Court appeal about his dismissal. Former detective inspector Wersimus Haipa’s appeal to the Supreme Court was dismissed in a judgement delivered on Friday. Haipa appealed against a High Court judgement in which an application by him to have his discharge from the police reviewed and set aside was dismissed in May this year.

A proposed bill in the United Kingdom (UK) oversimplifies the complex issues surrounding wildlife conservation and poaching. This is according to Namibia Professional Hunting Association (Napha) vice ombudsman Danene van der Westhuizen who says the anti-hunting movement treats regulated hunting and illegal poaching as the same thing. The bill seeks to ban the importation of hunting trophies from lions, elephants and other animals.

The names of the three alleged poachers who were shot dead in the Etosha National Park have been revealed. They are Namibians Elifas Shali Kapembe (24), Nicky Nandiinotya Andreas (33) and Immanuel Petrus (23). According to the Namibian Police, their next of kin have been informed. The deadly gunfight occurred last Saturday during a skirmish between the three armed and suspected poachers and members of the anti-poaching unit in Etosha. According to the police, members of the anti-poaching operation in Etosha noticed footprints inside the park near the fence during a patrol on…

President Nangolo Mbumba has announced the establishment of 27 new boreholes across the Kavango West region's six constituencies in a bid to tackle water scarcity and human-wildlife conflict. Additionally, two traditional wells in Mpungu constituency have been upgraded to relieve communities grappling with these persistent challenges. Speaking at a Swapo rally in Mupini over the weekend, Mbumba highlighted the party's efforts to improve living conditions in the region, one of the country’s youngest regions.

Farmer and hunting operator in the Otjiwarongo district, Johan van Rensburg, was arrested last Thursday after a live crocodile and a crocodile carcass were discovered on his farm, according to the protected resources unit at the Namibian police. He appeared in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate's Court on Friday in connection with the illegal hunting and transportation of two crocodiles. Van Rensburg, the owner of Osonjiva Safaris Namibia, was released on bail of N$20 000 and the case has been postponed for further investigation until 17 February 2025.

A conservation group from Khorixas in the Kunene region has called on the government to help stop mining activities that could pose a threat to highly endangered black rhinos. The Khorixas conservation community travelled to Windhoek to plead with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism through a public demonstration on Thursday. Don Andrew, leader of the group, said the community wants the government to hear their plight. "There is high unemployment in the region, and conservation and tourism cater for jobs for the people," he said.

Police in the Zambezi region on Saturday afternoon arrested a 45-year-old Zambian man over illegal possession of wildlife products. The suspect was charged over possession and dealing in controlled wildlife products without a permit and for being in Namibia without valid documents. According to the weekend crime report, the suspect was found with six elephant tusks cut into twelve pieces.

The environmental commissioner has been ordered to decide by next Thursday whether environmental clearance certificates issued to a holder of mining claims in the Kunene region should be suspended or cancelled. Judge Esi Schimming-Chase issued the order in the Windhoek High Court yesterday. She also ordered that no mining activities may take place on eight mining claims held by Windhoek resident Ottilie Ndimulunde until the environmental commissioner has made his decision.

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.

Chairperson of the Kavango East Regional Council Damian Maghambayi says hunger is no excuse for killing endangered birds. He was speaking to The Namibian following a report in yesterday’s edition on residents of the Kavango regions reportedly trapping carmine bee-eater birds to eat.

A case in which two Kunene conservancies, a traditional authority and a tourism company tried to get a court order to stop mining activities and the construction of a road in their area is not urgent, a judge ruled in the Windhoek High Court on Friday. Judge Orben Sibeya ruled that an application filed by the Doro !Nawas and Ûibasen Twyfelfontein conservancies, the ≠Aodaman Traditional Authority and the company, Ultimate Safaris, two weeks ago does not meet the requirements to be heard as an urgent matter.

However, due to long periods of over-hunting and poaching their meat (subsistence poaching) and ivory tusks, that number declined significantly across the continent between the 70s and 80s. It’s reported that an average of 100 000 elephants were killed each year during that time, and by 2016, experts estimated a drop in those numbers by 111 000 within a decade. Today, there are only 415 000 elephants across Africa, with Botswana being home to the world's largest elephant population.

In Namibia, despite famed conservation efforts, close to 300 rhinos have been poached over the past 4 years (2020 to 2023), according to wildlife reports from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

On Monday, Khorixas pensioner Leonard Hoaeb contacted Namibian Sun to complain about a social media post the newspaper published pertaining to Ultimate Safaris, the Doro-Nawas and Uibasen-Twyfelfontein conservancies and the #Aodanam Traditional Authority appearing in court to fight the projects. "Ultimate Safaris is making millions from this area but we, the community, are getting nothing. They have 28 employees, while the mine will employ 140 employees in the first phase. Why can’t they co-exist?” he wanted to know.

Mining operations will pose a direct threat to critically endangered black rhinos in an area south-west of Khorixas. This is detailed in an urgent application filed at the Windhoek High Court by two communal conservancies, a traditional authority and a tourism operator. Black rhinos in the area will be under increased threat of poaching or migrate out of the area if plans to start mining operations go ahead, the Doro !Nawas and Ûibasen Twyfelfontein conservancies, the ≠Aodaman Traditional Authority and the company Ultimate Safaris claimed in an urgent application filed on Friday…

An alleged habitual poacher was shot and killed over the weekend by a truck driver, whom he reportedly tried to rob. Ashley 'Luxman' Eiseb was allegedly shot at the Oosland abattoir in the Gobabis district last Friday after he smashed the window of a truck in an attempt to rob the driver. According to recent media reports, he was shot in the chest during the incident. He then fled in a vehicle with a group of other suspects, but the car ran out of fuel near Omitara. Three individuals were allegedly found with the vehicle.

Namibia's special environmental court operations have resulted in fines worth N$4,9 million in one year. These special courts were conducted at Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Okahao, Outapi and in Windhoek for 42 days between April 2022 and March 2023. Prosecutor general Martha Imalwa revealed this at the official opening of the Environmental Crimes Court at Otjiwarongo on Monday. "We see the total of cases amounted to 162 on the court rolls from April 2022 to March 2023.

The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) launched its annual report for 2023, highlighting the successes and achievements of countries it supports in combating wildlife and forest crime, of which Namibia is one. The consortium uses targeted and evidence-based approaches to strengthen criminal justice systems and provide coordinated support to enhance responses to wildlife crime.

Approximately 400 timber planks were confiscated in the Kavango West region this month. This is according to Kavango West police regional commander Julia Sakuwa-Neo, speaking at a media briefing at Nkurenkuru yesterday. "During August, close to 400 timber planks were intercepted and confiscated after establishing that no permits or authorisation was granted," Sakuwa-Neo said. The timber was confiscated during police operations conducted in a span of one week, she added.

Oshikoto police regional commander Commissioner Teopolina Kalompo-Nashikaku has issued a stern warning to poachers, saying they risk their lives by engaging with armed anti-poaching units. Without mincing her words, she warned that the authorities are committed to protecting the country's fauna and flora and said poachers risk their own lives if they shoot at security personnel deployed to safeguard wildlife species.

Oshikoto police regional commander Commissioner Teopolina Kalompo-Nashikaku has issued a stern warning to poachers, saying they risk their lives by engaging with armed anti-poaching units. Without mincing her words, she warned that the authorities are committed to protecting the country’s fauna and flora and said poachers risk their own lives if they shoot at security personnel deployed to safeguard wildlife species.

The ongoing high rates of wildlife crime in Namibia and its expansion into new sectors, despite active law enforcement efforts, are clear signs that rigorous crime fighting alone will not reduce these activities. This is according to the Namibia National Report on Wildlife Protection for 2023, which warned that while law enforcement is vital, particularly in combatting organised criminal activities, further initiatives should be employed to reduce wildlife crimes.

Markus Rooinasie (27), the co-accused of serial game poacher Derick Brockerhoff, pleaded guilty to a charge of illegal hunting of huntable game. Both appeared on this charge after a well-known neighbourhood watch member and security officer caught them with a gemsbok and kudu carcass and a Remington hunting rifle in the mountains behind Windhoek's Eros neighbourhood on 11 April.

Pangolins continue to rank second behind rhinos among the wildlife most targeted by poachers in Namibia in terms of the number of cases registered in 2023. Last year, 60 wildlife crime cases were registered for pangolins and 90 cases for rhinos. In 2022, 36 pangolin cases were registeres.

Illegal harvesting and trafficking of plants have skyrocketed in Namibia over the past few years. Arrests of suspects for crimes related to plants have increased from three in 2021 to 42 last year. According to the Namibia National Wildlife Protection Report for 2024, Namibian flora is clearly becoming increasingly popular in the ornamental-plant trade, driven by online marketing. Statistics provided in the report showed that 1 211 plant products were seized last year and 18 cases related to plant crimes were registered, while nine cases were finalised.

Illegal harvesting and trafficking of plants have skyrocketed in Namibia over the past few years. Arrests of suspects for crimes related to plants have increased from three in 2021 to 42 last year. According to the Namibia National Wildlife Protection Report for 2024, Namibian flora is clearly becoming increasingly popular in the ornamental-plant trade, driven by online marketing. Statistics provided in the report showed that 1 211 plant products were seized last year and 18 cases related to plant crimes were registered, while nine cases were finalised.