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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.

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Displaying results 1 - 9 of 9
Friday, 31 January 2025
Terblanché N 2025. N$10 000 reward for environmental terrorist still unclaimed.

More than a week after the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources announced a N$10 000 reward for information regarding the deliberate killing of Cape Cormorants near Henties Bay, no leads have emerged. The ministry's spokesperson, Uaripi Katjiukua, confirmed on Thursday that not a single member of the public has come forward with vital information. "We are, however, confident that some information will be forthcoming and that we will be able to initiate a criminal investigation soon," she said.

Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Mackintosh Z 2025. The challenges of prosecuting snare poachers in South Africa.

One of the key takeaways from the Snare Mitigation Symposium held in Pretoria in September 2024 was the issue of the prosecution and sentencing of snare poachers in South Africa. High-profile cases of rhino horn and elephant ivory trafficking are headline-grabbing, but meat poaching using snares and dogs is probably a more serious issue. The effects of snare poaching are staggering, and while anti-poaching operations are vital, the current laws and enforcement need to be examined.

Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Reiter C 2025. An act of "cruelty".

Last week, according to social media, a previously unknown vehicle reportedly drove at high speed into a flock of cormorants near "Canopy" north of Cape Cross. The incident, which was discovered on Friday, left dozens of cormorants lying dead, seriously injured or maimed. The cormorants, which are known to take off slowly in flight, were apparently unable to escape the oncoming vehicle, which was apparently deliberately targeting the flock. Numerous birds suffered serious injuries, others lay dead on the ground.

Monday, 20 January 2025
Petersen C 2025. DFFE promises to disrupt local and international poachers operating in SA.

Cape Town - The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) said it would focus on disrupting local and international poaching this year. This comes after Cape Town metro police arrested a suspect for allegedly poaching 250 kilogrammes of abalone in Hout Bay last week. The bust has put a spotlight on poaching in the country. DFFE Minister Dion George commended the City of Cape Town's metro police for retrieving the poached abalone last Thursday. George said he would be making an extra effort to target poachers this year.

Thursday, 16 January 2025
Collins D 2025. Hunting for poachers amid South Africa's bloody wildlife war.
An ongoing and violent poaching crisis threatens some of the country's most iconic wildlife. These are just a few of the men and women who have the grit to fight back
Friday, 10 January 2025
Makopa F 2025. Hippo deaths spark environmental concerns.

A series of environmental disasters in Zimbabwe have raised concern about the industry’s regulation and government’s ability to protect the environment. The disasters, including the death of 19 hippopotamuses in the Sapi Safari Area and Chirundu, along the Zambezi Valley, are believed to be a result of improper disposal of toxic chemicals, including cyanide and mercury, used in mining processes.

Wednesday, 8 January 2025
Mojela A 2025. Limpopo man in court for illegal possession of pangolin.
Hawks arrest 25-year-old man for possession of endangered pangolin in Limpopo, case postponed to January 14.
Friday, 3 January 2025
2025. Two caught with pangolin skin in Ohangwena.

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.

Thursday, 2 January 2025
David M 2025. Two apprehended for possession of pangolin skin.

The Namibian Police Force in the Ohangwena Region has arrested two men, aged 26 and 51, after they were found in possession of pangolin skin in Okongo. Ohangwena Crime Investigation Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Melanie Mbuuru, said the suspects were arrested around 11:15 at the Pick n Pay complex in the Okongo district on Tuesday. According to Mbuuru, the suspects were found in possession of protected game products without a permit.

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