This archive of published media articles about wildlife crime in Namibia aims to:
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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Kruger National Park officials have raised the alarm over a mass poisoning that killed over 120 vultures, calling it one of the worst in recent years and warning it could push the endangered species towards extinction. Rescue teams managed to save 81 vultures through an unprecedented joint operation. Experts warn that the poison used - an organophosphate so lethal it's nicknamed 'two-step' - poses severe risks to humans, pets and water systems, with even trace exposure potentially fatal.
A 73-year-old man was reportedly arrested for illegal hunting at Otjomupanda village on Friday. According to a police crime report issued on Sunday, the incident occurred around 14:40 during a joint police operation. It is alleged that police conducted a search at the suspect’s residence, where they discovered a kudu carcass valued at N$6,000. A rifle believed to have been used in the poaching incident was also reportedly found at the scene.
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NAM_2025_06_Elderly man arrested for poaching_Informante.pdf | 44.99 KB |
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.
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NAM_2025_06_Ministry offers cash to catch poachers_The Namibian.pdf | 172.83 KB |
The report, produced under a Service Contract with the European Commission, provides an in-depth analysis of illegal wildlife trade trends based on seizures reported by EU Member States to Europe Trade in Wildlife Information eXchange (EU-TWIX) system. The illegal trade in wild species is a critical threat to biodiversity; valued at a staggering $23bn each year, it devastates ecosystems and fuels crime.
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INT_2025_06_EU remains major hub for global trafficking of wild species_latest data shows_Traffic.pdf | 203.16 KB |
More than 120 vultures are believed to have died recently in the Kruger National Park after feeding on an elephant carcass that was laced with poison, allegedly by poachers. Around 80 of the endangered scavenger birds narrowly survived. KwaZulu-Natal has also seen a sharp decline in vulture populations, with vulture poisoning cases reported in the northern parts of Zululand - including Hluhluwe and Pongola. However officials say there's been a sharp decline.
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SA_2025_06_Team set up to tackle wildlife poisoning_East Coast Radio.pdf | 219.46 KB |
Costa Rica is dealing with yet another sharp rise in wildlife trafficking, now our country's third most common environmental crime. Reports highlighted intensified efforts by authorities to curb this growing threat, which endangers our nation’s incredible array of life. Park rangers and police recently uncovered cases involving species like capybaras, parrots, and reptiles, with five capybaras found in captivity just last week. The illegal trade, driven by demand for exotic pets and animal parts, is putting immense pressure on Costa Rica's ecosystems.
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CR_2025_06_Wildlife trafficking jumps in Costa Rica_Threatening biodiversity_Tico times.pdf | 171.25 KB |
Intelligence Support Against Poaching (ISAP) recently held a course on how to handle a poaching scene correctly. The animal crime scene and evidence handling course took place from 16 to 19 July, and was presented by Wildlife Vets Namibia. Participants included veterinarians, lodge managers, wildlife farmers, members of crime prevention forums, hunting farm owners, students and representatives of the tourism industry.
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NAM_2020-07_Securing a poaching scene_Namibian Sun.pdf | 420.05 KB |
In all, 11 nationals, including firearm suppliers, poachers and game vendors, were arrested last week in Luengue-Luiana National Park, Cuando Cubango province.
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ANG_2020-07_Dismantled poaching net and weapon snipers_Provinces_Jornal de Angola_Online.pdf | 244.75 KB |
Bewohner aus den informellen Siedlungen in Windhoek wildern häufig im Daan-Viljoen-Park und stellen somit eine ständige Bedrohung für das betroffene Wildreservat dar.
Residents of the informal settlements in Windhoek frequently poach in Daan-Viljoen Park and thus pose a constant threat to the affected game reserve.
Die Anti-Wilderei-Initiative ISAP (Intelligence Support Against Poaching) und „Wildlife Vets Namibia“ haben einen Kurs zur besseren Aufklärung von Wildtierverbrechen durch die Handhabung von Beweisen angeboten. Die Teilnehmer des Kurses, der bei der ISAP-Einrichtung stattfand, erhielten Information über die Wilderei sowie einen Einblick in die Komplexität der Beweisfindung. Als Hauptziel gilt, die Polizei durch die ordnungsgemäße Sicherung eines Tatorts und von Beweisen zu unterstützen.
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NAM_2020-07_Beweismaterial besser handhaben_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 496.22 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Handle evidence better_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 495.1 KB |
What should a farmer, lodge manager, landowner or a farm worker do when he stumbles across a poaching scene? Participants of the Animal Crime Scene and Evidence Handling Course received detailed answers to this question while gaining insight into the complexity of gathering evidence. During the course, participants were reminded that they are neither police officers nor experts in collecting evidence.
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NAM_2020-07_Securing a poaching scene_Windhoek Express.pdf | 602.61 KB |
The Daan Viljoen game park is under constant threat from communities living in the informal settlements of Windhoek who enter the park illegally for poaching. Daan Viljoen is situated 25km west of Windhoek and informal settlements such as Agste Laan and Goreangab are situated near the game park. Khomas Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua, made this statement during the State of the Region Address (SoRA) on Tuesday.
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NAM_2020-07_Windhoek game park under threat_Windhoek Express.pdf | 328.55 KB |
Die Polizei hat in der Erongo-Region drei Personen festgenommen, die kürzlich sieben Oryx-Antilopen im Namib-Naukluft-Nationalpark erlegt haben sollen.
Police have arrested three people in the Erongo region who are said to have recently killed seven oryx in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
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NAM_2020-07_Polizei stellt mutmaßliche Wilderer_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 343.77 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Police arrest suspected poachers_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 331.71 KB |
Three suspected poachers who were arrested last week by Erongo police officers made their first appearance in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's court last Wednesday. Penrich Gonteb (29), Elvis Anamab (37) and Gerson Mbahuma (49) appeared on charges relating to the contravention of the Nature Conservation Ordinance 4 of 1975 as amended, which includes the prohibition of hunting in game parks and nature reserves; as well as transportation of game without a permit. They were not granted bail and will be held in custody until their next appearance on 29 July.
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NAM_2020-07_Three in dock for poaching in Namib_The Namibian.pdf | 752.56 KB |
Die Polizei der Erongo-Region fahndet nach mehreren Wilderern, die sieben Oryx-Antilopen in dem Namib-Naukluft-Nationalpark erlegt haben sollen und während des Transports der Tiere erwischt worden seien. Das teilte Erongo-Polizeisprecher Erastus Iikuyu jetzt mit.
The Erongo region police are looking for several poachers who are said to have killed seven oryx in the Namib-Naukluft National Park and were caught during the transport of the animals.
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NAM_2020-07_Wilderer im Park etappt_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 383.54 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Poachers in the park_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 378.36 KB |
The German Federal Government has mobilized additional resources of €13 million to support the Namibian Government, through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, in mitigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the conservation and tourism sector.
The police are hunting for suspected poachers who abandoned two bakkies and seven oryx carcasses in the desert before fleeing the scene over the past weekend.
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NAM_2020-07_Suspected poachers leave loot_cars in desert_The Namibian.pdf | 724.12 KB |
The discovery of a camouflage uniform of the Namibian Defence Force among the belongings of a gang of poachers has added another aspect to the investigation into illegal hunting in Namibia’s national parks. Members of the public who spotted the poachers attempting to recover a broken down vehicle with the help of a second vehicle from the desert in the vicinity of the Kuiseb Canyon informed the Namibian Police about the suspicious activity. The gang of poachers and the people assisting them to recover the broken down vehicle fled on foot when they spotted the vehicles…
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NAM_2020-07_Police hunting for poacher gang_Informante.pdf | 746.46 KB |
Four new dogs will be imported from the Netherlands to beef up the environment ministry's anti-poaching dog unit, which has helped arrest suspects in 52 poaching cases so far. The four dogs at Waterberg are trained to search buildings, vehicles, luggage and open areas for firearms, ammunition and illegal wildlife products such as ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales and bush meat.
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NAM_2020-07_Anti_poaching dog unit given teeth_Namibian Sun.pdf | 390.72 KB |
Namibia has recorded a drastic reduction in poaching in the past three years because of improved response mechanisms. Most of the success is attributed to the Environment and Tourism Ministry's efforts to upscale law enforcement components of conservation. Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta said anti-poaching canine units (the Ministry of Environment and Tourism Dog Unit) had been deployed to good effect. "The Dog Unit is part of our anti-poaching initiatives.
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NAM_2020-07_Nam anti_poaching gets bite_Southern Times.pdf | 404.87 KB |
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s anti poaching campaign specifically the Dog Unit, was this week beefed up when they received a Toyota Land Cruiser Double CAB V8 from Standard Bank as well as donations from other organisations. The other organizations namely SWAVET, MDS Animal Health and Rhino Park Private Hospital also donated vital veterinary amenities for the dogs which included drugs and food to the Canine Unit.
One of the pillars in the fight against poaching, the K-9 unit of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, this week received a customised Land Cruiser to make deployment of the tracker dogs faster.
Die Finansiële Aksie-taakmag beskryf in sy eerste verslag oor wildmisdaad dit as 'n internasionale bedreiging wat verbind kan word met georganiseerde misdaad soos slawerny, dwelm- en wapensmokkelary. Volgens die verslag is daar 'n gebrek aan fokus op die finansiële aspek van wildmisdaad en stel voor alle regerings moet wette op geldwassery implementeer. Die studie se bevindings is gebaseer op die insette van 50 lande, Namibië ingesluit, wat lid is van die Oostelike en Suider-Afrika Teengeldwasserygroep (ESAAMLG). 'n Totaal van 22 uit 45 lande het aangedui dat hulle…
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NAM_2020-07_Optrede teen wildstropery nodig_Republikein.pdf | 350.11 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Action against poaching needed_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 350.51 KB |