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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 - 8 of 8
Monday, 24 March 2025
Uchechukwu I 2025. C'River: Customs arrest wildlife trafficker with 346 rare bird heads, other specimens.
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has arrested a wildlife trafficker in Cross River State with 346 rare and exotic bird heads, along with other animal specimens. "The individual was found in possession of 213 parrot heads, 29 packs of parrot feathers, 128 African hornbill heads, and five eagle heads. Additionally, we recovered one pack of eagle feathers, two chimpanzee heads, four chimpanzee hands, and four chimpanzee legs."
Thursday, 20 March 2025
Ali N 2025. Poaching and trafficking on the rise in northern Kenya - threatening endangered giraffe, cheetah and more.
In the remote landscapes of northern Kenya, an alarming wave of poaching and smuggling is pushing iconic wildlife species toward the brink. From reticulated giraffes to hirolas and cheetahs, various endangered species are risking local extinction. A dangerous mix of armed poacher gangs, wildlife trafficking networks, and regional instability is fueling the crisis. With bushmeat demand rising and wildlife smuggling funding militia groups, conservationists warn that urgent action is needed to prevent local extinctions.
Tuesday, 4 March 2025
Ogunade F 2025. Africa: West African wildlife sanctuary becomes a hub of insecurity.

Spanning three countries, the vast W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is being used to facilitate organised crime, terrorism and local conflicts. The W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex is a vast wildlife sanctuary spanning the intersecting borders of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. With one of the most diverse ecosystems in West Africa's savanna belt, it is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site and shelters threatened species such as cheetah, giraffe, wild dog, elephant, lion and leopard.

Tuesday, 30 November 2021
Jason L 2021. Katima man raped, suspected poacher shot.

At farm Otjirukaku on the B8 road, a 23-year-old male was shot and wounded allegedly by a farmer while attempting to poach wildlife on the property. The victim’s friend managed to flee the scene unharmed. The victim is currently hospitalised in a local hospital and his condition is stable, according to the authorities.

Tuesday, 23 November 2021
Hattingh E 2021. Bloedbad op plase.

Honde wat skape tydens strooptogte verskeur, lewende beeste waarvan die hakskene afgekap is en of wat in draadstrukke wurg, asook wild wat met assegaaie gesteek word en lydsaam vrek - dit is aan die orde van die dag op Namibiese plase. Selfs dragtige diere word nie deur stropers en diewe gespaar nie, terwyl landbouers net magteloos moet toekyk. Meer as 90 mense oraloor die land het Republikein die afgelope twee weke gekontak nadat vrae as deel van ‘n informele opname in die sosiale media oor vee- en wilddiefstal gestel is.

Sunday, 21 November 2021
Seleka N 2021. 'What they are doing is sad and emotional' - poachers use snares to trap animals in Kruger Park.

Poachers have turned to snare trapping to capture animals in the Kruger National Park, including some endangered species, and use poisoned carcases to lure them. Many of the trapped animals die and their carcasses rot. Rangers and other officials have been combing through the 19 485 km² Kruger National Park, which houses the country's Big Five, in search of injured and trapped animals. Poachers have targeted almost all sections of the park. Wild dogs, lions and small antelopes are some of the animals that have been trapped.

Tuesday, 9 November 2021
2021. Grausame Schlingenstellerei - Abwesende Farmer befördern Wilderei.

Immer wieder sind Farmen in Namibia von starker Wilderei betroffen. Am meisten unter gehäuften Tötungen leiden Farmen, deren Nachbarfarmen von Nicht-Namibiern bewohnt werden, die die meiste Zeit im Ausland leben. Dieser Umstand wird von Wilderen systematisch ausgenutzt, um Farmgrenzen zu übertreten und einer strafrechtlichen Verfolgung zu entkommen. Ein Beispiel für diese Situation ist die Gästefarm Ameib, die Hagen Denker gehört.

Friday, 5 November 2021
2021. Airlink joins fight against wildlife trade.

Airlink, the privately owned Southern African regional airline, will implement a company-wide programme involving training, new processes and supply chain interventions to identify and combat illicit wildlife trade. The illegal wildlife trade is valued between USD $50 to 150 billion (approximately between ZAR730 billion - ZAR 2,19 trillion at current exchange rates) per year and is one of the five most lucrative global crimes. Illegal killing and trading of wild animals is a global crisis, with species being hunted to extinction for their horns, skins and teeth.

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