Search results

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 - 13 of 13
Thursday, 28 November 2024
Mukube I 2024. New community courts to advance restorative justice - Dausab.

The minister said the court enables the swift prosecution for offenses such as wildlife trafficking, illegal logging and pollution, aligning with national and international efforts to safeguard the environment.

Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Mowbray S 2024. Vulture poisonings in the Serengeti alarm conservationists.

In July this year, conservationists from North Carolina Zoo in the U.S. and the Grumeti Fund in Tanzania went searching for a white-backed vulture in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park that had been tagged a few weeks earlier. Tracking data suggested the bird had died. The team traveled off-road to the southwestern edge of the park, accompanied by rangers from the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). Upon arriving at the bird's location, they came across a gruesome scene: 108 vultures had been sorted into rows, missing their heads and feet.

Friday, 22 November 2024
Kheibes E, Mueller O 2024. Members of Neighbourhood Watch hunt illegally.

Waldo McClune (38), Fabian Routh (39), Brandon Van Wyk (34) and Terence Theron (47), all members of the Block A neighbourhood watch, are said to have hunted the game at night and, with the owner's knowledge, delivered it to a well-known slaughterhouse in Rehoboth. McClune is reportedly part of the group's executive committee. The source, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Namibian Sun that McClune had exploited his position to influence the nightly meetings, and members were concerned about the extent of negligence and feared for their monthly dues.

Wednesday, 20 November 2024
2024. Three arrested for warthog meat possession.

The Namibian Police in Otavi have arrested three suspects who were allegedly found in possession of warthog meat. The three suspects - one Angolan and two Namibian males - were apprehended at Farm Salem on Friday morning. The value of the warthog is estimated at N$500.

Tuesday, 19 November 2024
2024. Endangered Egyptian Vultures return to South Africa in historic conservation milestone.

Two endangered Egyptian Vultures have landed in the Eastern Cape after a 16,600km journey, marking a pivotal step in a groundbreaking conservation effort to bring this species back from extinction in South Africa. Eastern Cape, South Africa (19 November 2024) – In a groundbreaking step for African wildlife conservation, a pair of endangered Egyptian Vultures has completed an epic 16,600-kilometre journey from San Diego to their new home in the Eastern Cape.

Wednesday, 13 November 2024
Steynberg F 2024. Otji farmer in court over croc charges.

Farmer and hunting operator in the Otjiwarongo district, Johan van Rensburg, was arrested last Thursday after a live crocodile and a crocodile carcass were discovered on his farm, according to the protected resources unit at the Namibian police. He appeared in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate's Court on Friday in connection with the illegal hunting and transportation of two crocodiles. Van Rensburg, the owner of Osonjiva Safaris Namibia, was released on bail of N$20 000 and the case has been postponed for further investigation until 17 February 2025.

Tuesday, 28 November 2023
David M 2023. One arrested for illegal hunting.

A man has been arrested for contravening Act 04/1975, Section 30, related to the hunting of huntable game at Farm Hamis in the Khomas region. According to the police weekend report, it is alleged that two suspects entered Farm Hamis and shot a kudu bull without permission. The farm workers heard the gunshot and responded by alerting the Namibian police, who acted promptly and arrested one of the suspected poachers. The second suspect fled the scene with the hunting rifle and has not yet been apprehended. The kudu carcass was recovered and valued at N$6,000.

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, 22 November 2023
van der Walt I-M, Steffen F 2023. Wilddiebe wiederholt Angeklagt.

Nachdem eine Anti-Wilderer-Einheit zwei Wilddiebe gefasst hatte, stellt sich heraus, dass sich diese scheinbaren Gewohnheitsverbrecher für zahlreiche Wilderei-Fälle oder sogar wegen versuchten Mordes im Gericht verantworten müssen. Staatsankläger scheinen die schwerwiegenden Vorwürfe kaum zu beachten, sodass die Angeklagten oft ungeschoren davonkommen.

Wednesday, 22 November 2023
van der Walt I-M 2023. Vermeende stropers verskyn weer vrydag.

"Dis 'n outjie wat ons al lankal pla. Hy is al vantevore op Seeis toegesluit omdat ons hom met 'n gesteelde 5 000 liter-tenk gevang het en daar was nog gemsbokke agterop die voertuig ook," sê die bron. Volgens die persoon is hulle groep ingelig oor ses stropers wat bedrywig was tussen Vrydag en Sondag.

Tuesday, 21 November 2023
2023. Wilddiewe loop hul rieme styf.
Twee vermeende gewoontemisdadigers wat Vrydag vir die onwettige jag van wild ter waarde van N$35 000 in hegtenis geneem is, is reeds skuldig bevind en hoor Vrydag hul lot. Two suspected habitual criminals who were arrested on Friday for the illegal hunting of wildlife worth N$35,000 have already been found guilty and will hear their fate on Friday.
Tuesday, 21 November 2023
Bause T 2023. Hired car used in poaching, stock theft.

The two suspects were caught in the early hours of Friday morning with five goats in their possession which had been poached. The men also poached two kudus, two waterbucks and a gemsbok worth N$35 000 in the Khomas Region.

Monday, 20 November 2023
Rental car exposes illegal hunting.

The Namibian police in the Otjozondjupa Region have arrested two suspected illegal hunters, thanks to a rental vehicle that exposed their whereabouts. The two suspects, aged 23 and 46, were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm as well as carcasses of two kudu bulls, two waterbucks, and an oryx, with an estimated total value of N$35,000. According to the police, the illegal hunting was uncovered accidentally through a rental vehicle they were travelling in.

NOT FOUND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR? AMEND YOUR SEARCH...