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Namibian Wildlife Crimes article archive

This archive of published media articles about wildlife crime in Namibia aims to:

  • provide easy public access to published information and statistics
  • enable easy stakeholder access to articles
  • provide a comprehensive archive of wildlife crime reporting in Namibia

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.

Displaying results 1 - 50 of 58
Saturday, 31 July 2021
2021. Rhino poaching update as SA pays tribute to brave and fallen rangers.

Minister of Environment Barbara Creecy today released the latest rhino poaching statistics for South Africa, whilst also paying tribute to SANParks' rangers, including those rangers who tragically died over the past year. Minister of Environment Barbara Creecy today released the latest rhino poaching statistics for South Africa, whilst also paying tribute to SANParks’ rangers, including those rangers who tragically died over the past year.

Thursday, 29 July 2021
2021. Zimbabwe: Seven armed robbers, poachers arrested.

"Meanwhile, on July 25, 2021 at Chatseka area, Mutawatawa, Murewa, police also arrested Joseph Kabunze (67), Perfect Kabunze (29), Chatseka Mapuranga (39) and Makwanya Kahwiti (29) for unlawful possession of ivory." The arrest led to the recovery of 4 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 12,5kg valued at US$2 635.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
2021. Elefanten- und Nashornwilderei nimmt über die Jahre ab.

Environment Ministry press secretary Romeo Muyunda announced the latest rhino and ivory poaching figures yesterday. According to this, the safety of the animals has improved somewhat over the past few years.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Hattingh E 2021. Stryd teen olifantstropery werp vrugte af.

Hoewel niemand nog in hegtenis geneem is in verband met die vier olifante wat vanjaar in Namibië gestroop is nie, toon Namibië oor die afgelope agt jaar 'n sterk afname in die stroping van dié bosreuse. Volgens syfers wat deur die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme bygehou word, blyk dit dat olifantstropery jaarliks verminder. Terwyl daar in 2016 tot bykans 101 olifante gestroop is, was dit in 2019 en 2020 onderskeidelik net 13 en 12 olifante.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Ndlovu B 2021. Four men suspected to be poachers arrested after being found with elephant tusks.

Four suspected poachers have been arrested after being found in possession of elephant tusks worth nearly US$3 000.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Nakale A 2021. Nine rhinos poached in 2021.

Namibia has lost nine rhinos to poaching in various national parks this year, according to the environment ministry. The statistics show three black, and six white rhinos were poached this year alone. The three black rhinos were killed in the Etosha National Park, while six rhinos were poached for their horns at private-owned white rhino reserves. Environment spokesperson Romeo Muyunda also issued national elephant poaching statistics per year from 2014 to 2021.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Smit E 2021. Poaching numbers drop.

This year to date only four elephants have been poached in comparison to the 12 elephants that were poached last year. In 2014, when poaching started to increase in Namibia, 78 elephants were killed, peaking at 101 poached elephants in 2016.

Monday, 26 July 2021
Reuters T 2021. Rhino and elephant poaching declines in Namibia.

Rhino and elephant poaching has declined significantly this year in Namibia, home to the only free-roaming black rhinos left in the world, government data showed on Monday. Nine rhinos have been illegally killed by hunters so far in 2021, the lowest number in eight years for the period, according to the figures from the ministry of environment and tourism. Four elephants have been killed this way, a five-year low

Friday, 23 July 2021
Gomes M 2021. Quissama Park tops list of poaching cases.

The Quissama National Park, in Luanda province, has been the preferred area for the practice of poaching of various species there, informed, on Wednesday, the coordinator of the Project to Combat the Illegal Trade of Wildlife and Human Conflict and Wildlife in Angola.

Friday, 23 July 2021
Hattingh E 2021. Stropers met sewe olifanttande gearresteer.

Twee mense is op Katima Mulilo en Kahenge met altesaam sewe olifanttande in hul besit betrap, terwyl nog twee mense gevang is toe hulle onderskeidelik luislangvelle en krokodilvelle van die hand wou sit.

Two people were caught on Katima Mulilo and Kahenge with a total of seven elephant tusks in their possession, while two more people were caught trying to dispose of python skins and crocodile skins respectively.

Thursday, 22 July 2021
Smit E 2021. 10 more arrested for wildlife crimes in July.

At Sangwali, a Namibian was arrested on 6 July for being in possession of one impala carcass. Oscar Munyandi was charged with illegal hunting of special protected species. In another matter, a Namibian, Simuna Kankona, was arrested on 12 July with two python skins, and charged for the illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products. On 13 July, Mathews Hamusira, a Namibian citizen, was arrested at Rundu for being in possession of a pangolin skin.

Thursday, 22 July 2021
2021. Acht Festnahmen in einer Woche.

Eight suspects were arrested in connection with six wildlife crime cases in the past week. According to the Ministry of Environment's wildlife crime statistics, 13 wildlife products were confiscated. On July 12, a Namibian with two python skins was arrested. The following day, a Namibian national was arrested in Rundu for being in possession of a pangolin armor. A Zambian national with four tusks was also arrested in Katima Mulilo on July 15. On the same day, a man with three tusks was arrested in Kahenge, as well as a Namibian in Outjo, because he was in possession of an oryx…

Thursday, 22 July 2021
Sithole S 2021. Jealous man plants ivory in ex-wife's toilet.

A plot by a jealous Guruve man to get his ex-wife and her boyfriend imprisoned by planting ivory on her hit a snag after he was arrested for possession of ivory.

Monday, 19 July 2021
Chingarande D 2021. 2 nabbed for illegal possession of ivory.

Two unemployed Harare men appeared in court last week for illegal possession of ivory.

Friday, 16 July 2021
Smit E 2021. Nege verdagtes weens wildmisdaad vasgetrek.

Op 20 Junie is 'n Namibiër op Rundu in hegtenis geneem toe 'n ietermagovel in sy besit gevind is. By die Etosha Nasionale Park se King Nehale-hek is twee Namibiërs op 21 Junie in hegtenis geneem omdat hulle onwettig in die besit van 'n elandkarkas was. In 'n ander voorval by Omahenene is 'n Angolese burger en 'n Namibiër op 22 Junie in hegtenis geneem toe hulle met 22 ietermagovelle betrap is terwyl daar op 'n handwapen sowel as vyf rondes ammunisie beslag gelê is. Intussen is nog 'n Namibiër op 24 Junie op Oshakati in hegtenis geneem nadat hy met drie olifanttande…

Friday, 16 July 2021
Nyaga B 2021. Kenya: Ivory worth Ksh1.4M recovered in Kajiado County.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in Kajiado has recovered four pieces of elephant tusks hidden in a bush in Torosei area, Kajiado Central. Weighing 14 kilograms and estimated at a street value of Ksh 1.4 million, the ivory was discovered by locals who informed their area Chief. KWS County Warden Vincent Ongwae said the ivory is suspected to have been sneaked into the country through the border, as there had been no reported cases of elephants killed in the recent past.

Thursday, 15 July 2021
2021. Wildtierprodukte beschlagnahmt.

Am 20. Juni wurde ein Namibier in Rundu verhaftet, weil er im Besitz eines Schuppentierpanzers war. Am König-Nehale-Tor des Etosha-Nationalparks wurden am 21. Juni zwei Namibier wegen illegalen Besitzes eines Elenantilopen-Kadavers verhaftet. Bei einem weiteren Vorfall beim Grenzkontrollposten Omahenene wurden am 22. Juni ein angolanischer Staatsbürger und ein Namibier mit 22 Schuppentierpanzern verhaftet, während ein Revolver sowie fünf Schuss scharfe Munition beschlagnahmt wurden. In der Zwischenzeit wurde in Oshakati am 24.

Wednesday, 14 July 2021
Makhurane B 2021. Two men found in possession of Ivory.

Two men from Bulawayo appeared in court for possessing about 16kg of ivory without a licence.

Wednesday, 14 July 2021
Muvundisi J 2021. Ivory suspect shifts blame to co-accused.

A Bulawayo man, who was arrested together with two other men for illegally dealing in ivory, has shifted the blame to his co-accused, claiming the tusks belonged to the duo.

Wednesday, 14 July 2021
Smit E 2021. Nine arrested with 28 illegal wildlife products.

On 20 June, a Namibian was arrested at Rundu for being in the possession of a pangolin skin. At Etosha National Park's King Nehale gate, two Namibians were arrested on 21 June for illegally being in the possession of an eland carcass. In another incident at Omahenene, an Angolan national and a Namibian were arrested on 22 June with 22 pangolin skins, while a revolver pistol as well as five rounds of live ammunition were confiscated.

Monday, 12 July 2021
Muiruri P 2021. From poacher to the end user - the intricate web of wildlife criminals.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), most of the poachers come from poor communities and are just looking for food. Such ones use snares, wire traps, poisoned watermelons or nails to catch elephants, and spears as weapons to kill the trapped animals.

Thursday, 8 July 2021
Smith E, Reiter C 2021. Leichter Rückgang - Wildtierkriminalität dennoch eine Bedrohung.

In Namibia ging die Zahl der Wildtierverbrechen im vergangenen Jahr laut dem Umweltministerium leicht zurück. Dennoch bleibt dies weltweit ein Problem mit schwerwiegenden finanziellen Konsequenzen, so der jährliche Bericht des Internationalen Konsortiums zur Bekämpfung der Wildtierkriminalität (ICCWC).

Wednesday, 7 July 2021
2021. Ivory deal earns quartet lengthy jail terms.

Four men were each jailed for nine years after they were convicted of illegally possessing raw ivory which they intended to trade in Harare sometime last year.

Monday, 5 July 2021
2021. Zimbabwe: Trio in court for ivory possession.

Three men from Lupane appeared in court for possessing about 6kg of ivory without a licence.

Saturday, 30 May 2020
Saunders J 2020. Outrage as South Africa law change could put elephants and giraffes on dinner table.

South Africa is deliberating over a radical review of their Meat Safety Act that wildlife activists fear could "pave the way" for elephants, rhinos, giraffes and every animal listed for human consumption.

Friday, 29 May 2020
Nakale A 2020. Fishing expedition stumbles on elephant tusks.

Fishermen on a fishing expedition stumbled upon a bag containing four elephant tusks hidden in shallow waters between Ondangwa and Ongwediva over the long Africa Day weekend. A group of village boys between Opoto and Shipepe locations near Ongwediva were fishing in the water channel near the road when they made the elephant tusks discovery.

Friday, 29 May 2020
Zincume M 2020. Two nabbed in Mtubatuba with elephant tusks (South Africa).

Vigilant Mtubatuba police officers arrested two suspects in Khula Village, near St Lucia, for being in possession of elephant tusks.

Thursday, 28 May 2020
2020. Two poachers shot dead in Botswana.

The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has reported death of two poachers killed in an anti-poaching incident in the Okavango Delta, bringing the number of poachers killed in the Southern Africa country to seven this year.

Thursday, 28 May 2020
2020. Kampf gegen Wilderei: USA spenden zwei Allradwagen.

Das US-Verteidigungsministerium hat vergangene Woche zwei Geländefahrzeuge an das namibische Umweltministerium (MEFT) gespendet. Einer der beiden Toyota Land Cruiser soll von dem Polizeischulungszentrum am Waterberg verwendet werden. Der andere Land Cruiser ist für Einsätze der Antiwilderei-Hundeeinheit im Kampf gegen organisierte Umweltverbrechen vorgesehen.

Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Ngcobo N 2020. KZN poaching drops since virus lockdown.

KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife says they have seen a decrease in poaching since the start of the national lockdown. But the conservation body says they remain on high alert as poachers continue to operate in the province. Last week, a suspect was arrested in Mtubatuba, North of KZN for the illegal possession and sale of elephant ivory in the KwaMsane Township.

Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Ncube L 2020. Footie star arrested over elephant tusks.

Football Club player Craven Banda has been arrested after he was allegedly found with eight raw elephant tusks.

Monday, 25 May 2020
2020. Statistical models and ranger insights help identify patterns in elephant poaching.

The illegal wildlife trade is one of the highest value illicit trade sectors globally, threatening both human well-being and biodiversity. A prominent example is ivory poaching, leading to an estimated 30% decline in African elephant populations between 2007 and 2014 and costing African states an estimated US$25 million annually in lost tourism revenues.

Monday, 25 May 2020
Munhende L 2020. Spike in wildlife poaching as poachers take advantage of lockdown laxities.

Zimbabwe has realised a spike in wildlife poaching as the wildlife management authority has redirected efforts towards combating the spread of Covid-19 during the current lockdown period, a top lobby has said.

Monday, 25 May 2020
2020. MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube on arrest of suspect with elephant tusk.

Statement by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube on the arrest of a suspect with elephant tusk valued at R150 000.

Friday, 22 May 2020
David R 2020. Drop in recorded wildlife crime.

Between 11 and 17 May, only one new case of wildlife crime was registered with four suspects arrested and charged, according to the latest wildlife crime statistics compiled by the Intelligence and Investigation Unit within the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and Protected Resources. Two of the suspects were arrested on rhino poaching/trafficking, including conspiracy of rhino poaching. One springbok horn was seized.

Thursday, 21 May 2020
2020. Internasionale Biodiversiteitdag môre herdenk.

Internasionale Biodiversiteitdag word jaarliks op 22 Mei volgens die Verenigde Nasies se Konvensie oor Biologiese Diversiteit (UNCBD) herdenk.

International Biodiversity Day is commemorated annually on May 22, according to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD).

Thursday, 21 May 2020
2020. Extension granted for submissions on work relevant to the panel reviewing lion, rhino, elephant and leopard management practices (South Africa).

An extension of two weeks has been granted to the public to make submissions on the work of the high-level panel established to review policies, legislation and related practices on the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.

Wednesday, 20 May 2020
2020. Dearth of tourists not only detrimental to private sector, also impedes conservation.

While the rest of the country has been locked down for a considerable time, the rangers and game guards who protect Namibia’s wildlife could not drop their vigilance for a day.

Tuesday, 19 May 2020
Smithers D 2020. How one woman escaped her violent marriage to join the world’s First All-Female Anti-Poaching Force.

Nyaradzo Hoto was just 20 when, with no money and nowhere to go, she was forced to drop out of school and get married. Over the next two years, she suffered at the hands of her violent husband; enslaved by his family, forced into hard labour, and used as a punch bag during his drunken fits of rage. But while she feared she may never escape her 'prison', Nyaradzo told LADbible how she gained the courage to find her voice and is now part of an elite squad in Zimbabwe, fighting to protect the world’s most endangered animals from extinction.

Monday, 18 May 2020
Dalton J 2020. South Africa traffics thousands of endangered wild animals to China in 'corrupt and growing' trade, investigation finds.

South African traders with China are illegally selling thousands of wild animals threatened with extinction and endangered, under the guise of legal exports, according to an investigation. Monkeys have been stolen from the wild, and together with cheetahs, tigers, rhinos, lions and meerkats, they have been trafficked to circuses, theme parks, laboratories, zoos and "safari parks", researchers found.

Sunday, 17 May 2020
Mwandipendaa S 2020. Poacher jailed 9 years (Zimbabwe).

A 27-year-old Mushumbi poacher was jailed 9 years by Guruve resident magistrate Shingirai Mutiro yesterday. Alan Pagan’a of Sedze village, Chief Chisunga in Mbire pleaded guilty to the charge. Prosecutor Albert Mazhindu told the court that on May 11 members of Zimparks received a tip off that Pagan’a was selling a pair of elephant tusks. The team proceeded to Sedze village purporting to be buyers, they approached the convict and he led them to a pit where he had hid the ivory.

Saturday, 16 May 2020
2020. 2 Angolese glo vas met 6 olifanttande.

Twee Angolese burgers, mnre. Daniel en Jobe Kambinda, is verlede Donderdag glo met ses olifanttande, 'n koedoevel en 112 ystervarkpenne by Rundu in hegtenis geneem.

Two Angolan citizens, Messrs. Daniel and Jobe Kambinda were arrested last Thursday with six elephant teeth, a cow-hide and 112 porcupine pens at Rundu.

Saturday, 16 May 2020
2020. ED Mnangagwa Son, Kudakwashe Implicated in Poaching Scandal.

One of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons, Kudakwashe, has been implicated in the poaching of wildlife in Nyangambe, in the Save Valley Conservancy, Chiredzi, located in the south-eastern part of the country.
Legal representative of the Nyangambe Community Wildlife Project, Farai Chauke made the allegations in his defence to the fraud charges he is facing for allegedly forging title deeds to the project, which is run by Nyangambe villagers. Chauke, who is a practising lawyer in the capital Harare, also hails from the Nyangambe area.

Saturday, 16 May 2020
Elephants found poisoned in Botswana.

Residents in Seronga village in Botswana’s North-West District have been warned of poisoned elephant carcasses. The Department of Wildlife and National Parks on Friday cautioned that there are elephant mortalities recorded in the areas surrounding the villages of Seronga, Gunotsoga and Eretsha.

Thursday, 14 May 2020
Smit E 2020. Two elephants killed within a week.

Two elephants have been killed within a week of each other. One of the animals was killed during an illegal hunt, while the other was killed to address human-wildlife-conflict. It is suspected that an elephant found dead at a farm in the Ndonga Linena constituency in Kavango East last week was first shot somewhere else. The carcass of the elephant was discovered last Tuesday at Farm Nanava, approximately 90km southeast of Rundu.

Thursday, 14 May 2020
Smit E 2020. 112 porcupine skins seized.

Four suspects believed to be part of a rhino poaching gang were granted N$5 000 bail each last week. Three suspects were arrested last week for wildlife crimes in two separate cases. Two of the suspects were arrested in connection with elephant poaching and/or trafficking cases. This is according to information provided by the intelligence and investigation unit in the environment ministry and the protected resources division in the safety and security ministry. During operations, police also seized one firearm and four rounds of ammunition.

Thursday, 14 May 2020
Nakale A 2020. Elephant found dead in Kavango East.

The ministry of environment has started an investigation after an elephant was found dead on a farm in the Kavango East region. According to ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, the elephant was found dead in a crop field with its tusks intact at farm Nanava within the Linena constituency over the weekend. The elephant was reportedly found with a bullet wound above the right eye. The farm is approximately 90km southeast of Rundu. He said a follow up was done on Saturday by the ministry staff, the protected resources unit and the police special field force.

Wednesday, 13 May 2020
2020. Police seize wildlife products.

Law enforcement agencies last week seized 119 wildlife animal products from two suspects arrested in connection with wildlife crime. Two Angolan nationals were arrested at Rundu on Thursday last week and six elephant tusks, one kudu skin and 112 porcupine quills were seized from them.

Tuesday, 12 May 2020
2020. Two Angolan nationals nabbed in Namibia for wildlife crimes.

Two Angolan nationals had been arrested in Namibia after they were found in possession of six elephant tusks and 112 porcupine quills, the environment ministry said on Tuesday.

Friday, 8 May 2020
2020. Buitelanders glo vas met olifanttande - Twee luiperdvelle gekonfiskeer.

'n Zambiër en 'n Mosambiekse burger is verlede week glo met ses olifanttande in hul besit op Katima Mulilo in hegtenis geneem. Volgens die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme se weeklikse misdaadverslag van 27 April tot 3 Mei, is mnre. Pani Kavi van Mosambiek en Mulita Kapingro van Zambië die vermeende ivoorsmokkelaars. Hulle is twee van die ses verdagtes wat verlede week in verband met wildmisdaad in hegtenis geneem is.

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