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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 - 14 of 14
Monday, 30 January 2023
2023. Nigeria greenlights a new law to tackle wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.

The Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill - prepared by the Nigerian Ministry of Environment and jointly sponsored by Johnson Oghuma, Chair of the House Environment Committee, and Sam Onuigbo – would make Nigeria compliant with international conventions on endangered species, organised crime and corruption while increasing investigative powers to include financial enquiries and intelligence-led operations.

Monday, 30 January 2023
Chebet C 2023. Poaching, trafficking cases drop as use of dogs in conservation picks up.

Data from the Kenya Wildlife Service indicates that between 2014 and 2022, dogs led to the documentation of 102 incidents of wildlife trafficking. About 114 people linked to these incidents were arrested and prosecuted during the period. "The dogs are key in deterring these crimes. These cases have gone down because traffickers are now aware of the strict security deployed in our borders, airports, and even ports.

Wednesday, 25 January 2023
2023. Task force established to combat wildlife trafficking.

The US Treasury Department and South Africa's National Treasury on Wednesday agreed to form a task force to combat illicit finance linked to the illegal wildlife trade, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said. Speaking at the Dinokeng Game Reserve outside Pretoria, Yellen told South African officials that the new task force aims to boost information sharing between the two country's financial intelligence units and to strengthen controls to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

Wednesday, 18 January 2023
Reiter C 2023. Wilderei gemeldet.

Zwei angolanische Verdächtige im Alter von 30 und 33 Jahren wurden am Freitag, den 13. Januar bei Otjiwarongo verhaftet, nachdem sie im Besitz eines Schuppentierpanzers gefunden wurden. Der Gesamtwert des Panzers beträgt 50 000 N$. Die Verdächtigen sollen vor Gericht in Otjiwarongo erscheinen. Ferner berichtet die namibische Polizei von einem 31-jährigen Mann, welcher am selben Tag am Buffalo-Kontrollpunkt in der Kavango Ost-Region verhaftet wurde. Der Mann wurde demnach im Besitz von zwei Elefantenstoßzähnen gefunden, deren Wert noch nicht feststeht.

Tuesday, 17 January 2023
Denker H 2023. Countering poaching and trafficking of illegal wildlife products to support biodiversity protection through Operation Blue Rhino.

Operation Blue Rhino was initiated in 2018 to counter the surge in high-value wildlife crime in Namibia. The formal cooperation between government ministries is enabled through external funding support. Blue Rhino is facilitated through active collaboration amongst numerous partner organisations. Effective conservation systems that enable healthy wildlife populations form the foundation of biodiversity protection in Namibia. Anti-poaching initiatives guard against criminal impacts on vulnerable wildlife.

Monday, 16 January 2023
Muyamba J 2023. Suspects arrested with elephant tusks, pangolin skins.

The Namibian Police in Mukwe constituency in the Kavango East region on Friday arrested a 31-year-old man after he was found in possession of controlled wildlife products - two elephant tusks. The suspect, who is now due for court, was arrested at buffalo checkpoint in the Mukwe constituency during a police special operation on Friday afternoon at around 19h00. The suspect will appear in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 January.

Sunday, 15 January 2023
Smit E 2023. Drie in hegtenis vir wildmisdaad.

Twee Angolese mans is Vrydag in die Orwetoveni-nedersetting in Otjiwarongo in hegtenis geneem, nadat hulle in besit van die vel van 'n ietermagô betrap is. Die waarde van die vel is N$50 000. In 'n onverwante voorval is 'n 31-jarige Namibiër Vrydag by die Buffalo-kontrolepunt in die Mukwe-kiesafdeling in die Kavango-Oostreek met twee olifanttande betrap.

Sunday, 15 January 2023
Smit E Just in: Three arrested for wildlife crimes.

Two Angolan men were arrested on Friday at the Orwetoveni township in Otjiwarongo for being in the possession of a pangolin skin valued at N$50 000. In a separate incident, a 31-year-old Namibian was arrested on Friday at Buffalo checkpoint in the Mukwe constituency (Kavango East region) for being in possession of two elephant tusks. The value thereof has not been determined.

Tuesday, 31 May 2022
Muchabaiwa T 2022. Three men arrested for pangolin poaching.

Three men travelling through Kadoma will rue the day they caged a pangolin after they were caught in possession of the mammal on Saturday.

Tuesday, 24 May 2022
2022. Nine suspects arrested for possession of a pangolin valued at R250 000.

Midrand police arrested nine suspects on May 19 on New Road, Midrand after they were found with a female pangolin weighing 0.9kg valued at R250 000.

Monday, 23 May 2022
Jube B 2022. Uganda's fight to stop pangolin poaching.

Offenders convicted of crimes related to wildlife species classified as extinct in the wild, or critically endangered, face the highest penalty under Uganda's Wildlife Act 2019 of a Shs20-billion (about US$5,5-million) fine or life imprisonment, or both. Despite this, pangolins are being heavily targeted for poaching and trafficking in the East African country. Data from global wildlife trade monitoring organisation Traffic indicates that between 2012 and 2016, more than 1,400 pangolins were seized by Ugandan authorities.

Friday, 13 May 2022
Kondowe R 2022. Two found with pangolin in Mchinji.

Police in Mchinji have arrested two men for allegedly being found in possession of a live Pangolin. The two have been identified as Mavuto Jophris aged 33 and Mandera Masauso aged 34. The arrest of the two suspects follows a tip off police received on May 12, 2022 that the two were offering for sell a live Pangolin which was concealed in an empty sack and placed in a backpack.

Wednesday, 11 May 2022
Kruger K 2022. Wildsmokkelaars staan vonnis teen.

Twee wildmisdadigers appelleer teen hul skuldigbevinding en vonnisoplegging van twee jaar.

Two game criminals are appealing against their two-year conviction and sentence.

Tuesday, 10 May 2022
Patrick A 2022. Pregnant pangolin survives poachers, focus now on her pangopup.

Last week's sting operation not only saved a young female Temminck's pangolin from the clutches of poachers, but her unborn pangopup too.

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