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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 - 34 of 34
Friday, 28 August 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Renosterstropers’ bly in aanhouding.

89 ietermagôskubbe gekonfiskeer. Vier vermeende renosterstropers bly in aanhouding nadat hulle glo ’n witrenosterbul gestroop en ’n witrenosterkoei in die Grootfontein-distrik gekwes het.

89 pangolin scales confiscated. Four suspected rhino poachers remain in custody after they allegedly poached a white rhino bull and injured a white rhino cow in the Grootfontein district.

Wednesday, 26 August 2020
Ncube L 2020. 2 Binga folks arrested for possessing live pangolin.

Two villagers from Binga have been arrested in Zambia after they were found in possession of a live pangolin they allegedly intended to sell in the neighbouring country.

Tuesday, 25 August 2020
Kooper L 2020. Zambian nabbed for ivory, pangolin scales.

A twenty-year-old Zambian man was arrested on Sunday in the Zambezi region after he was found in possession of one elephant tusk and 81 pangolin scales.

Sunday, 16 August 2020
2020. Lewende ietermagô in kamer gevind.

'n Lewende ietermagô is Vrydagaand in 'n kamer van 'n 29-jarige man in die Wanaheda-woonbuurt in die hoofstad gevind.

A live pangolin was found in a room of a 29-year-old man in the Wanaheda neighborhood in the capital on Friday night.

Thursday, 13 August 2020
Shikongo A 2020. Elephant, pangolin crimes still highest.

More than half of 363 suspects arrested for animal poaching or trafficking in 2020 were apprehended for crimes involving high-value animal species. This includes rhino, elephant and pangolin, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

Wednesday, 12 August 2020
2020. Five countries unite against wildlife crime. The five Partner States of the Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) - Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe - have joined forces to defend their borders against those who seek to deprive the region of its natural beauty and resources.
Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Smit E 2020. Python skins seized.

Six suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crimes and three new cases were opened recently, while seized products included python, leopard and pangolin skins.

Tuesday, 11 August 2020
2020. Twee met ivoor, velle vasgetrek.

Twee vermeende wildmisdadigers, mnr. Gabriel Kuutondokwa Nalitje en David Simon, is verlede Maandag in Windhoek glo met drie stukke ivoor en een elk luiperd- en ietermagôvel vasgetrek.

Two suspected wildlife criminals, Mr. Gabriel Kuutondokwa Nalitje and David Simon, were allegedly caught last Monday in Windhoek with three pieces of ivory and one each leopard and pangolin skin.

Saturday, 8 August 2020
Bega S 2020. Four pangolins rescued in a week from illegal trade.

In just over a week, Ray Jansen and his team have recovered four trafficked pangolins - three of them pregnant - in sting operations from the illicit trade in various parts of South Africa. In total, 11 people were arrested by a team of dedicated and specialised law enforcement officers.The operations are a sign, says Jansen, of the African Pangolin Working Group, that pangolin poaching has resumed under Level 3 lockdown restrictions.

Friday, 7 August 2020
Smit E 2020. Pangolin traffickers nabbed.

In the first cooperation between US law enforcement and the Namibian police, four suspected pangolin traffickers were recently arrested in Namibia. According to a statement by the US embassy in Namibia, time-sensitive information was received by the Homeland Security Investigations office in Pretoria relating to the imminent illegal sale of a live pangolin.

Friday, 7 August 2020
Leuschner E 2020. Pangolin-Schmuggler gestellt.

Polizeieinsatz mit US-Strafverfolgungsbehörden führt zum Erfolg. Vier mutmaßliche Schuppentier-Schmuggler konnten während eines Einsatzes zwischen US-Strafverfolgungsbehörden und der namibischen Polizei vor kurzem gestellt werden - es wird die erste Kooperation ihrer Art bezeichnet. Zudem wurden erneut mutmaßliche Wilderer bei Walvis Bay verhaftet.

Thursday, 6 August 2020
2020. Lewende ietermagô, luiperdvelle gekonfiskeer.

Beslag is verlede week op een lewende ietermagô, een leeu- en drie luiperdvelle gelê. Volgens die wildmisdaadverslag vanaf 27 Julie tot 2 Augustus van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is altesaam agt verdagtes in hegtenis geneem en drie sake aanhangig gemaak.

Thursday, 6 August 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Amerika help met vastrek van 'ietermagôsmokkelaars'.

Samewerking tussen Amerikaanse wetstoepassers en die Namibiese polisie (Nampol) het gelei tot die inhegtenisneming van vier vermeende ietermagôsmokkelaars.

Cooperation between US law enforcers and the Namibian police (Nampol) has led to the arrest of four suspected pangolin smugglers.

Thursday, 6 August 2020
Shikongo A 2020. US helps Namibia pounce on pangolin smugglers.

The Namibian Police successfully arrested four suspected pangolin traffickers in a first-of-its-kind cooperation. This in partnership with US law enforcement through the US embassy in Windhoek. 
A statement issued by the embassy yesterday said information received by their investigations office in Pretoria was passed on to local authorities to facilitate the successful arrest of the suspects.

Thursday, 6 August 2020
Smit E 2020. N$5.5m for wildlife protection.

The Game Product Trust Fund (GPTF) has become increasingly important in protecting wildlife due to a lack of funding from government. The GPTF has committed funding of more than N$5.58 million to several activities in the environment and tourism sector during the 2018/19 financial year. This information is contained in the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia 2018/19 annual report that has just been made public. "The GPTF's role has become more important than ever. It has stepped in and filled the void that has been left by a lack of funding from the government.

Wednesday, 5 August 2020
2020. U.S. Government partners with Namibian Police on arrests in Pangolin Trafficking Case.

During a first of its kind cooperation between U.S. Law Enforcement and the Namibian Police (Nampol), four suspected pangolin traffickers were arrested on July 21 in Namibia. Time-sensitive information received by the Homeland Security Investigations office in Pretoria relating to an imminent dealing by criminals in the illegal sale of a live pangolin was passed to the U.S. Embassy Windhoek’s Regional Security Officer which was shared with Nampol.

Wednesday, 5 August 2020
2020. Quick work saves pangolin.

During a first of its kind cooperation between US Law Enforcement and the Namibian Police (Nampol), four suspected pangolin traffickers were arrested in Namibia on 21 July. Time-sensitive information received by the Homeland Security Investigations office in Pretoria relating to an imminent dealing by criminals in the illegal sale of a live pangolin was passed to the US Embassy Windhoek's Regional Security Officer, which was shared with Nampol. Based on the information, the Blue Rhino Task Team was able to successfully arrest four suspects.

Wednesday, 5 August 2020
Smit E 2020. Eight arrested for wildlife crimes.

Eight suspects were arrested last week in connection with wildlife crimes. These suspects were arrested in three separate cases and a total of five illegal wildlife products were seized, which included a lion skin, three leopard skins and a live pangolin.

Tuesday, 4 August 2020
2020. Een leeu-, drie leeuperdvelle gekonfiskeer.

Beslag is verlede week op een lewende ietermagô, een leeu- en drie luiperdvelle gelê. Volgens die wildmisdaadverslag vanaf 27 Julie tot 2 Augustus van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is altesaam agt verdagtes in hegtenis geneem en drie sake aanhangig gemaak.

Tuesday, 4 August 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Namibië tweede beste in wildbewaring.

Namibië is as die tweede beste land in wildbewaring op die Megafauna Conservation Index (MCI) aangewys. Buurland Botswana is as die wenner uit 152 lande gekroon.

Namibia was named the second best country in wildlife conservation on the Megafauna Conservation Index (MCI). Neighboring Botswana was crowned the winner from 152 countries.

Tuesday, 4 August 2020
Shikongo A 2020. Five nabbed over wild cat skins.

Five suspects were arrested last week for contravening the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act after they were allegedly found in possession of lion and leopard skins.

Tuesday, 30 June 2020
2020. 5 olifanttande, 1 renosterhoring gekonfiskeer.

Die Namibiese polisie het verlede week op vyf olifanttande en een elk renosterhoring, ietermagôvel en ‘n voertuig beslag gelê.

Last week, Namibian police seized five elephant tusks and one rhinoceros horn, a pangolin skin and a vehicle.

Monday, 22 June 2020
Soldier nabbed with Pangolin in Harare.

A soldier was arrested after he was found in possession of a pangolin as he was looking for a buyer in Msasa,
Harare.

Friday, 19 June 2020
Smit E 2020. Ten arrested for wildlife crimes.

A total of five wildlife products were seized: two oryx carcasses, a pangolin skin and two aardvark carcasses.

Wednesday, 17 June 2020
South African Police Service (SAPS) 2020. Media Statement - Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS).

Northern Cape-The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a 48-year-old suspect for allegedly trading in a pangolin. The suspect who originates from Botswana was arrested on Tuesday after information surfaced that he intended selling a pangolin that is an endangered species. A sting operation resulted in the suspect being arrested after he was found in possession of the said pangolin.

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SA_2020-06_Services_SAPS.pdf 134.41 KB
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Steffen F 2020. Große Pläne mit wenig Geldmitteln.

Umweltministerium setzt auf Nachhaltigkeit und bekämpft erfolgreich die Wilderei. Obwohl der Sektor als maßgebliches Wirtschaftsstandbein gehandelt wird, steht das Ministerium für Umwelt, Forstwirtschaft und Tourismus mit seinem Ausgabenplan im namibischen Haushalt für 2020-21 gerade Mal an 16. Stelle von insgesamt 33 Ausgabenposten. Der Minister verlässt sich indessen auf viel Hilfe aus Deutschland und von weiteren Entwicklungspartnern.

Tuesday, 16 June 2020
Shikongo A 2020. Wildlife gets bulk of environment budget.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has allocated 36% of its budget to wildlife and protected area management. This was announced by minister of environment, forestry and tourism Pohamba Shifeta during his budget motivation in the National Assembly on Thursday.

Sunday, 14 June 2020
Breakfast S 2020. Limpopo man arrested after trying to sell live pangolin.

A tip-off led to the arrest of a man caught attempting to sell a live pangolin.

Friday, 12 June 2020
Motylska I 2020. The Breaking Point: Could this report spell the end of SA's wildlife trade?.

The Chinese Academy of Engineering claims that the 'legal' wildlife industry is valued at $74 billion. South Africa is the largest exporter of live wild animals to Asia. At least 5 035 live wild animals were exported from South Africa to China between 2016 and 2019, according to The Breaking Point report published by the EMS Foundation and Ban Animal Trading (BAT).

Thursday, 11 June 2020
Steynberg F 2020. China het die ietermagô van sy tradisionele lys van medisyne (Chinese Pharmacopoeia) verwyder en ook die wetlike beskerming van dié mees gesmokkelde soogdier ter wêreld verhoog. China has removed the Pangolin from its traditional list of medicines (Chinese Pharmacopoeia) and also increased the legal protection of this most smuggled mammal in the world..

China verwyder ietermagô van tradisionele medisynelys - Beter beskerming

Thursday, 11 June 2020
Smit E 2020. 17 arrested for wildlife crimes.

A rhino horn, two elephant tusks, a pangolin skin and a crocodile skin were seized by the police last week. Thirteen suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching or trafficking and two for elephant poaching or trafficking. Five wildlife products were seized: a rhino horn, two elephant tusks, a pangolin skin and a crocodile skin.

Tuesday, 9 June 2020
Potgieter GC 2020. How Namibia is Outsmarting Criminals Involved in the Illegal Wildlife Trade.

Serious crimes are being committed in Namibia - crimes against our precious wildlife, our natural heritage and, ultimately, our people. The criminal syndicates behind poaching are highly organised, professional and very clever. They are growing rich by stealing Namibia’s natural heritage, using poor Namibians to do their dirty work for them in return for less than 10% of the product’s market value. Those poaching on the ground thus bear all the risks associated with illegal activities, yet see precious little of the profit.

Thursday, 4 June 2020
Braczkowski A 2020. South Africa - effort to return threatened pangolins to the wild at Phinda.

Each year in South Africa the African Pangolin Working Group (APWG) retrieves between 20 and 40 pangolins through intelligence operations with security forces. These pangolins are often-traumatised and injured and are admitted to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital for extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation before they can be considered for release. In 2019, seven rescued Temminck’s pangolins were reintroduced into South Africa’s Phinda Private Game Reserve in the KwaZulu Natal Province. Nine months on, five have survived.

Wednesday, 3 June 2020
Boyle L 2020. Confront illegal wildlife trafficking with international criminal laws, former global trade chief says.

The former head of the global convention on international wildlife trade says that current rules surrounding legitimate enterprise “don’t cut it” to prevent future pandemics and that wildlife crime should be confronted with the same international legal force that tackles human trafficking and terrorism. John Scanlon served as Secretary-General of the Secretariat overseeing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) from 2010 until 2018. CITES is affiliated with the United Nations Environment Programme…

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