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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 52
Thursday, 30 November 2023
Gaveni K 2023. Two arrested in possession of elephant tusks and pangolin scales.

Two men were arrested in possession of two elephant tusks and five pangolin scales at Magunje Growth Point.

Tuesday, 28 November 2023
Smit E 2023. 24 elephant tusks confiscated.

A total of 24 elephant tusks were confiscated, while one suspect was arrested and seven others fled the scene when their car was searched last Friday in the Zambezi Region. According to the environment ministry, the police, the defence force and ministry officials searched vehicles as part of an intelligence-led operation in pursuit of a syndicate of Zambian nationals who were embarking on transnational poaching of elephants in neighbouring Botswana using Zambezi as a transit root. It said security operatives intercepted the vehicle used to transport elephant tusks.

Monday, 27 November 2023
2023. 24 elephant tusks seized in undercover operation in Namibia.

Namibian authorities seized 24 elephant tusks in an intelligence-led operation by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) and security officials targeting a Zambian syndicate involved in transnational elephant poaching in Botswana through the Zambezi region.

Monday, 27 November 2023
Kooper L 2023. Zambezi police make another elephant tusk bust.

Zambezi regional police arrested two Zambian nationals for possession of 15 elephant tusks in the Kapani area of the Linyanti constituency on Sunday. The two Zambian nationals, aged 29 and 32, were part of a group of seven, however,

Monday, 27 November 2023
Steffen F 2023. Sambische Elefantenwilderer festgenommen.

Laut Polizeibericht wurden Elefantenstoßzähne beschlagnahmt, ein Verdächtiger festgenommen und sieben weiteren Verdächtigten gelang es, zu flüchten, nachdem Polizisten und Mitglieder der Anti-Wilderei-Einheit des Umweltministeriums sowie namibische Soldaten ein Fahrzeug anhielten, das unter Verdacht stand, in den Schmuggel von Wildtierprodukten verwickelt zu sein. Der Vorfall ereignete sich früh am vergangenen Freitag. Der Einsatz war die Folge von eingegangenen Informationen, die zur Verfolgung sambischer Staatsangehöriger führte.

Sunday, 26 November 2023
Amutenja H-M 2023. Zambian poachers flee as officials confiscate 24 elephant tusks.

In an operation led by Members of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT), in collaboration with the Namibian Police (Nampol) and Namibian Defense Force (NDF), 24 elephant tusks were confiscated during an early morning interception on Friday in the Zambezi region.

Sunday, 26 November 2023
Iyambo S 2023. Suspect arrested, 24 elephant tusks confiscated in Zambezi.

One suspect has been arrested while seven suspects fled from the scene after officials discovered 24 elephant tusks in a car at Katima Mulilo on Friday.

Sunday, 26 November 2023
Smit E 2023.  24 elephant tusks confiscated.

A total of 24 elephant tusks were confiscated, while one suspect was arrested and seven others fled the scene when their car were searched on Friday in the Zambezi Region. According to the environment ministry, members of the ministry, the police and the defence force were searching vehicles as part of an intelligence-led operation in pursuit of a syndicate of Zambian nationals who were embarking on transnational poaching of elephants in neighbouring Botswana using the Zambezi Region as a transit root.

Sunday, 26 November 2023
Smit E 2023. 24 Elefantenstosszähne beschlagnahmt.

Insgesamt wurden 24 Elefantenstoßzähne beschlagnahmt, während ein Verdächtiger verhaftet wurde und sieben weitere bei der Durchsuchung ihrer Fahrzeuge am Freitag in der Sambesi-Region flüchteten.

A total of 24 elephant tusks were seized while one suspect was arrested and seven others escaped during searches of their vehicles in the Zambezi region on Friday.

Friday, 24 November 2023
McCain N 2023. Locking horns with crooks: Wildlife crime on the rise in Southern Africa, driven by poaching in SA.

The consequences for local ecosystems and communities are serious, [including the] deterioration of natural capital, social stability and cohesion; extinction of animal species; and erosion of sustainable economic development. South Africa is home to the world's largest rhino population and is a key source for the illicit supply chain. In the first six months of this year, 231 rhinos were killed in South African game reserves. Of these, 143 were in KwaZulu-Natal.

Friday, 24 November 2023
2023. Zambezi police investigate poaching of elephants.

Police in the Zambezi Region apprehended a 37-year-old man found in possession of 24 elephant tusks during a joint operation with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism last night. The tusks are alleged to have come from Botswana, where the elephants were poached, and entered Namibia through the Batubaja Area in Linyanti Constituency. All 24 tusks were found loaded into a vehicle with an expired disc licence driven by a suspect who was allegedly called to provide transport after the car in which they were transported initially ran out of fuel.

Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Siamilandu O 2023. Traditional leaders condemn poaching.

Traditional leaders in Kariba district have condemned wildlife poaching in the area, adding that the crime was detrimental to the development of tourism in the district. Kariba's tourism is anchored on wildlife, hence the need for conservation, but despite a significant drop in elephant poaching, the practice was rampant among other smaller animals.

Wednesday, 15 November 2023
Ombati C 2023. Kenya: Two arrested with 77kgs of elephant tusks worth Sh12m in Samburu.

Two men were on Tuesday arrested while trafficking 36 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 77 kilogrammes valued at Sh12 million in Maralal, Samburu county.

Thursday, 9 November 2023
Bisong EM 2023. Conservationists applaud Nigeria's action to confront illegal wildlife trade.

Nigerian environmental activists have hailed the federal government's decision to publicly destroy a sizable amount of wildlife products that were seized, such as crocodile skins, pangolin scales, leopard skins, and python skins, as a clear indication of the end of an era marked by various forms of impunity against the safekeeping of wildlife.

Monday, 6 November 2023
Chaco S 2023. Wildlife crimes in Cameroon: Prosecution needs to be bolstered as poaching remains a menace despite measures.

Cameroon ranked seventh out of 29 African nations in terms of being a source or transit point for illegal wildlife trafficking (IWT) during the decade spanning from 2009 to 2019, according to a new report. This is despite the measures taken by the law enforcement to curb the menace as increased involvement from the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF), CITES authorities and various other stakeholders, according to the report titled Analysis of Wildlife Court Cases in Cameroon: Jan 2010-Dec 2022. The most frequently…

Sunday, 5 November 2023
Trujillo MA 2023. Zambian nationals arrested in Malawi for illegal ivory possession.

In a dramatic development in Mzimba, Malawi, two Zambian nationals have been apprehended by the police on allegations of illegal possession of raw ivory. The arrests took place at Engalaweni in the district.

Friday, 3 November 2023
Soodyal N 2023. Man nabbed for selling elephant tusk in Durban.

In Durban, a team comprising the Hawks and KZN Economic Infrastructure Task Team caught a man selling an elephant tusk. The 62-year-old was arrested in Greenwood Park. Police say the horn, which weighed some four-and-a-half-kilos, is estimated to be worth R2 million

Thursday, 2 November 2023
2023. South Africa: Men sentenced for illegal possession of elephant tusks in Gauteng.

The accused were arrested on November 16, 2022, by the officers from Benoni K9 with the assistance of the Pretoria K9 after they were found in possession of three elephant tusks (ivory) at Oriental Plaza Burna.

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.

Friday, 8 May 2020
Smit E 2020. Tusks, leopard skins seized.

Eight wildlife products were seized, which included six elephant tusks and two leopard skins. Six suspects were arrested and charged for wildlife crimes recently, while three new cases were registered. Two of the suspects were arrested for rhino poaching and/or trafficking cases while two others were arrested for elephant poaching and/or trafficking cases.

Thursday, 7 May 2020
Pinnock D 2020. How the Coronavirus changes poaching strategies.

Wild animals are back. Kangaroos bounding through the streets of Melbourne, elephant herds passing through Indian villages, jackals in Johannesburg, leopards in Mumbai, wild boar in Bergamo and Verreaux eagles catching thermals above a silent Cape Town. And of course, inevitable cartoons of humans in surgical masks staring forlornly at animals playing on the sidewalk. Is lockdown good news for creatures - or for poachers?

Thursday, 7 May 2020
2020. Elephant poaching is a humanitarian crisis, too.

Most conservation efforts fail to address poverty as a primary cause of the poaching crisis. Poachers can make more money from one kill than most sub-Saharan Africans earn in an entire year.

Wednesday, 6 May 2020
Safuli L 2020. Is elephant contraception an option for Zimbabwe?.

Conservationists have warned the country against adopting elephant contraception as a population management strategy given the negative social and ecological consequences. The ballooning elephant population estimated at over 80 000, rampant human wildlife conflict case, sophisticated poaching syndicates and the existing ban on ivory trade have become a major headache for Zimbabwe wildlife authorities.

Wednesday, 6 May 2020
2020. Government aims to legalise rhino consumption.

COVID-19 has brought the world to its knees and is believed to have been caused by the consumption of an endangered animal. Now, South African Government is proposing an amendment to the Meat Safety Act which expands the list of animals that may be legally consumed by humans.
The proposed amended list classifies animals for slaughter, consumption, import, export and sale. This list now includes many threatened species in South Africa including rhino, elephant and giraffe. It also includes undefined birds, reptiles and fish.

Tuesday, 5 May 2020
Bega S 2020. An increase in poaching expected as criminal networks try to take advantage of lockdown.

Poaching incidents could increase during the lockdown period as criminal networks try to take advantage of the closing of parks, perceiving a reduced presence of law enforcement now dealing with the Covid-19 emergency. “We are in receipt of intelligence that known poaching organisers operating across southern Africa intend taking advantage of the current situation,” said Sarah Stoner, director of intelligence at the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).

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