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.
Explore your search results using the filter checkboxes, or amend your search or start a new search.
A South African woman leaving the country for Dubai was nabbed this week with 12 rhino horns in her luggage at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, according to the SA Revenue Service (Sars).
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SA_2022_04_SA woman bound for Dubai nabbed with a dozen rhino horns at OR Tambo_TimesLive.pdf | 399.4 KB |
Durban - A total of 61 rhinos were killed for their horns in KwaZulu-Natal between January 1, 2022, and March 25, 2022.
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SA_2022_04_61 rhinos butchered for their horns in three months in KZN_IOL.pdf | 401.69 KB |
Poachers have since January killed 106 rhinos in the South African KwaZulu-Natal province, surpassing numbers for the whole of 2021, claims a poaching report partially released last week.
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SA_2022_05_Rhino Poaching on the Rise in South Africa_OCCRP.pdf | 564.83 KB |
Rustenburg -Two field rangers were arrested for allegedly sharing tactical information with rhino poaching syndicates in exchange for large sums of money, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), better known as the Hawks, said on Sunday.
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SA_2022_04_Game rangers arrested for allegedly helping poaching syndicates with information_IOL.pdf | 970.27 KB |
Pretoria - The Skukuza Regional Court has sentenced two rhino poachers to an effective 19 years in jail, after the two Mozambican nationals were arrested last month inside the Kruger National Park.
Additionally, 770 suspects were arrested for wildlife crimes. Wildlife products confiscated included 108 elephant tusks, 117 pangolins and 59 rhino horns, while 42 unlicensed firearms used in the commission of wildlife crimes were seized.
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NAM_2022_04_38 000 suspects arrested in 2021_Namibian Sun.pdf | 494.34 KB |
Community participation is key to reducing wildlife crimes amid concerns that the country is losing revenue as a result of poaching. Poachers kill elephants for their tusks and rhinos for their horns. The official value of ivory is US$250 per kilogramme yet poachers can sell it for as little as US$50 per kilogramme.
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ZIM_2022_04_Zim losing forex to poaching_The Chronicle.pdf | 380.12 KB |
Poverty around protected parks is not the main reason rhino poaching thrives, argues researcher Ian Glenn.
Two men have been sentenced to 44 years' imprisonment for rhino poaching. They have also been found guilty of possession of four rhino horns. Their sentences will run concurrently.
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SA_2022_04_Two men sentenced to 44 years imprisonment for rhino poaching_News24.pdf | 366.92 KB |
Moving rhinos from South Africa to Botswana's Okavango Delta without properly involving local people meant key chances to protect the animals from poaching were missed, scientists and community leaders have said. As the Delta reels from a surge in rhino poaching, which has killed close to 100 of the animals in the last three years, the authorities have taken the unusual step of evacuating all remaining both black and white rhinos from the region.
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BOT_2022_04_Botswanas imported rhino poaching crisis_Independent.pdf | 637.21 KB |
Limpopo game farmer Dawie Groenewald and his co-accused were arrested about 12 years ago on a multitude of rhino poaching-related charges, yet their criminal trial has yet to start.
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SA_2022_04_Rhino horn trade case delayed again 12 years after arrest of suspects_IOL.pdf | 669.78 KB |
A report by the South African government reveals a worrisome increase in the number of rhinos poached in 2021, as the decline attributed to the COVID restrictions is now being threatened with reversal. But is it too late to turn the tide?
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SA_2022_04_It is too late to save South Africas rhinos_Fair Planet.pdf | 334.73 KB |
Both of the convicted rhino poachers had entered the Kruger National Park, and one of them was found to be in the country illegally.
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SA_2022_04_Rhino poaching_Two men sentenced for seperate incidents_The South African.pdf | 383.2 KB |
At least 71 rhino have been poached this year alone in Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife parks, putting KZN on the road to the species facing extinction in the region within the next five years!
Just as the barbarity of war in Ukraine or the global climate crisis gradually lose their shock value, the unrelenting massacre of South Africa’s rhino has all but drifted from public view. Behind the scenes, however, at least 75 rhinos have been butchered for their horns in KwaZulu-Natal in the opening months of 2022.
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SA_2022_04_Rhino bloodbath in KZN as poachers gun down 75 animals this year_DailyMaverick.pdf | 1.04 MB |
The reopening of the Skukuza Regional Court is producing positive results, with a 100% conviction rate for rhino poachers over the past two years. The court had been closed by the Mpumalanga Regional Court president Naomi Engelbrecht in August 2019, who wanted it to be moved to Mhala Court about 100 kilometres from Skukuza. However, this decision was overruled and the court was reopened again in April 2021.
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SA_2022_04_Poachers face full might of the law in Skukuza court_Lowvelder.pdf | 526.82 KB |
Wildlife crimes remain a severe threat to the economy and biodiversity as well as to local livelihoods, the recently released Second National Integrated State of the Environment Report for Namibia showed. According to the report, a large number of wildlife crime cases are related to poaching for meat while rhinos currently represent the most valuable and sought after wildlife crime target. "Between 2018 and 2019, there has been an increase in registered wildlife cases related to high-value species growing from 115 to 174 cases.
South Africa is deliberating over a radical review of their Meat Safety Act that wildlife activists fear could "pave the way" for elephants, rhinos, giraffes and every animal listed for human consumption.
Die oorblywende vier verdagtes sal vandag hul verskyning in howe op Gobabis en in Windhoek maak. Vier van die agt verdagtes wat vandeesweek in verband met renosterstropery en -horingsmokkelary vasgetrek is, het gister in camera in die streekshof op Otjiwarongo verskyn.
Four of the eight suspects arrested this week in connection with rhino poaching and hornet smuggling appeared in camera in the Otjiwarongo regional court on Thursday.
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NAM_2020-05_Vier renosterstropers verskyn in camera_Republikein.pdf | 293.5 KB |
NAM_2020-05_Four rhino poachers appear in camera_Republikei_Eng.pdf | 293.41 KB |
Four of the eight suspects arrested in connection with the alleged poaching of two rhino horns near Gobabis appeared in the Otjiwarongo Regional Court in camera yesterday.
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NAM_2020_05_Poaching suspects appear in camera_Namibian Sun.pdf | 71.58 KB |
Im Zuge der Ermittlungen in einem Fall der Nashornwilderei wurden in dieser Woche acht Verdächtigte festgenommen. Den Beschuldigten werden unerlaubte Jagd geschützter Wildtiere, illegaler Handel mit Nasenhörnern und Verstöße gegen das Waffengesetz vorgeworfen. Vier der Tatverdächtigen wurden gestern in Otjiwarongo dem Haftrichter vorgeführt und bleiben nach Aussage des Umweltministeriums vorerst in Untersuchungshaft. Heute sollen jeweils zwei weitere Verdächtige in Gobabis und Windhoek im Magistratsgericht erscheinen.
Jackson Babi, a well-known Prophet along with a police officer attached to the Very Important Persons Protection Directorate was amongst seven suspects arrested on Monday for poaching and trading in wildlife contraband. Lightning quick investigative work by members of the Protected Resources Division of the Namibian Police saw the arrest of the seven suspects on the same day that a farm worker discovered the carcasses of two illegally hunted rhinos on a farm in the Gobabis district.
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NAM_2020-05_Prophet and policeman arrested for poaching_Informante.pdf | 1.38 MB |
Das US-Verteidigungsministerium hat vergangene Woche zwei Geländefahrzeuge an das namibische Umweltministerium (MEFT) gespendet. Einer der beiden Toyota Land Cruiser soll von dem Polizeischulungszentrum am Waterberg verwendet werden. Der andere Land Cruiser ist für Einsätze der Antiwilderei-Hundeeinheit im Kampf gegen organisierte Umweltverbrechen vorgesehen.
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NAM_2020_05_Kampf gegen Wilderei_ USA spenden zwei Allradwagen_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 119.93 KB |
Agt vermeende renosterstropers en -horingsmokkelaars is oor twee dae vasgetrek. Volgens die hoof van die Blue Rhino-taakspan, komm. Barry de Klerk, is twee renosterkarkasse Dinsdag op 'n plaas in die Gobabis-distrik ontdek.
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NAM_2020-05_8 vas oor renosterstropery_Republikein.pdf | 234.06 KB |
NAM_2020-05_8 arrested for rhino poaching_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 233.47 KB |
How technology, innovation and partnership are changing the fate of Africa's threatened megafauna.
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Gadget_2020-05_Co_innovation can save rhinos_Gadget.pdf | 298.27 KB |
Most people understand that the poaching of rhinos is cruel and could, quite possibly, drive rhinos to extinction. But why the inordinate fuss about rhinos? Are they special enough from an ecological point of view, that ecosystems need them to be around? Of course, no species should go extinct due to man, and rhinos are iconic symbols and tourism draw-cards.
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Africa Geographic_2020-05_Why are rhinos important for ecosystems_Africa Geographic.pdf | 3.42 MB |
Zimbabwe has realised a spike in wildlife poaching as the wildlife management authority has redirected efforts towards combating the spread of Covid-19 during the current lockdown period, a top lobby has said.
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ZIM_2020-05_Spike In Wildlife Poaching As Poachers Take Advantage Of Lockdown Laxities_NewZimbabwe.pdf | 481.91 KB |
Between 11 and 17 May, only one new case of wildlife crime was registered with four suspects arrested and charged, according to the latest wildlife crime statistics compiled by the Intelligence and Investigation Unit within the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and Protected Resources. Two of the suspects were arrested on rhino poaching/trafficking, including conspiracy of rhino poaching. One springbok horn was seized.
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NAM_2020-05_Drop in recorded wildlife crime_Confidante.pdf | 311.17 KB |
An extension of two weeks has been granted to the public to make submissions on the work of the high-level panel established to review policies, legislation and related practices on the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.
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SA_2020-05_Elephant management SA_Journal of African Elephants.pdf | 658.77 KB |
Internasionale Biodiversiteitdag word jaarliks op 22 Mei volgens die Verenigde Nasies se Konvensie oor Biologiese Diversiteit (UNCBD) herdenk.
International Biodiversity Day is commemorated annually on May 22, according to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD).
While the rest of the country has been locked down for a considerable time, the rangers and game guards who protect Namibia’s wildlife could not drop their vigilance for a day.
A retired police officer, a former scout and a Zambian national have been jailed for nine years for killing a black rhinoceros in Bubye Valley Conservancy near Beitbridge last year.
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ZIM_2020-05_Ex-cop jailed for killing rhino_The Herald.pdf | 337.54 KB |
South African traders with China are illegally selling thousands of wild animals threatened with extinction and endangered, under the guise of legal exports, according to an investigation. Monkeys have been stolen from the wild, and together with cheetahs, tigers, rhinos, lions and meerkats, they have been trafficked to circuses, theme parks, laboratories, zoos and "safari parks", researchers found.
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SA_2020-05_South Africa wildlife trade_Journal of African Elephants.pdf | 175.93 KB |
Four men are expected to appear in court on Tuesday after they were caught in possession of protected flora and a rhino horn. The arrests were carried out by the Malmesbury Stock Theft Unit, Vredendal Crime Intelligence and members of the Cape Nature Reserve.
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SA_2020_05_Four caught in possession of a rhino horn and protected plants_News24 Wire.pdf | 256.43 KB |
The arrests were carried out by the Malmesbury Stock Theft Unit, Vredendal Crime Intelligence and members of the Cape Nature Reserve.
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SA_2020-05_Four caught in possession of a rhino horn and protected plants_The Citizen.pdf | 653.23 KB |
Much has been written about the decimation of rhino populations in Africa due to poaching. Due to COVID-19, the problem has worsened as gangs in Mozambique take advantage of the lack of tourists and guards in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, killing nine rhino already. Since lockdown, six rhino in Botswana have been slaughtered for their horn. Why do the poachers do it?
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SA_2020-05_A rhino poacher in Africa reveals why he kills the animals_NYpost.pdf | 852.39 KB |
One of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons, Kudakwashe, has been implicated in the poaching of wildlife in Nyangambe, in the Save Valley Conservancy, Chiredzi, located in the south-eastern part of the country.
Legal representative of the Nyangambe Community Wildlife Project, Farai Chauke made the allegations in his defence to the fraud charges he is facing for allegedly forging title deeds to the project, which is run by Nyangambe villagers. Chauke, who is a practising lawyer in the capital Harare, also hails from the Nyangambe area.
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ZIM_2020-05_ED Mnangagwa Son Kudakwashe Implicated in Poaching Scandal _ ZIM NEWS.pdf | 787.53 KB |
Four hundred rhinos will have their horns cut off for their protection.
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inews_2020-05_Secret dehorning programme to save endangered rhinos in Africa_inews.pdf | 2.59 MB |
In Botswana, at least six rhinos have been poached since it closed its borders to limit the spread of coronavirus.
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BOT_2020-05_We need to tackle this illegal trade to prevent further pandemics_inews.pdf | 2.14 MB |
In Botswana, which depends heavily on tourism, poachers have taken advantage of suddenly empty wildlife reserves to kill at least six endangered rhinos during the coronavirus pandemic.
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BOT_2020-05_Endangered species among virus victims_Bankokpost.pdf | 646.13 KB |
The dogs, who vary from a beagle to bloodhound, began training from birth before working at 18 months-old at the Southern African Wildlife College in Greater Kruger National Park.
An elephant was shot and killed at a farm in the Ndiyona Constituency in the Kavango East Region last Wednesday, the police said. The Namibian Police crime investigations coordinator in the region, Deputy Commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu, told Nampa on Tuesday they found the carcass of an elephant at the farm in the Ndiyona Constituency.
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NAM_2020-05_Elephant illegally killed at Ndiyona_NAMPA.pdf | 285.71 KB |
Wild animals are back. Kangaroos bounding through the streets of Melbourne, elephant herds passing through Indian villages, jackals in Johannesburg, leopards in Mumbai, wild boar in Bergamo and Verreaux eagles catching thermals above a silent Cape Town. And of course, inevitable cartoons of humans in surgical masks staring forlornly at animals playing on the sidewalk. Is lockdown good news for creatures - or for poachers?
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SA_2020-05_How the Coronavirus changes poaching strategies_Daily Maverick.pdf | 457.64 KB |
Already facing extinction at the hands of rampant poachers, the endangered rhino’s future is in more jeopardy in the wake of the escalating outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Namibia’s free-roaming black rhinos, extraordinary than any other herd globally, is bearing the biggest brunt, directly and indirectly, from the pandemic. Efforts to conserve this special species in Namibia largely depend on a vibrant tourism industry. With the sector among the hardest hit by the eruption of the COVID-19, the impact on initiatives to save the animal has been adverse.…
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NAM_2020-05_Namibias special rhinos under severe COVID-19 threat _CAJ News Africa.pdf | 226.38 KB |
COVID-19 has brought the world to its knees and is believed to have been caused by the consumption of an endangered animal. Now, South African Government is proposing an amendment to the Meat Safety Act which expands the list of animals that may be legally consumed by humans.
The proposed amended list classifies animals for slaughter, consumption, import, export and sale. This list now includes many threatened species in South Africa including rhino, elephant and giraffe. It also includes undefined birds, reptiles and fish.
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SA_2020-05_Government aims to legalise rhino consumption_Getaway.pdf | 369.89 KB |
Poaching incidents could increase during the lockdown period as criminal networks try to take advantage of the closing of parks, perceiving a reduced presence of law enforcement now dealing with the Covid-19 emergency. “We are in receipt of intelligence that known poaching organisers operating across southern Africa intend taking advantage of the current situation,” said Sarah Stoner, director of intelligence at the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).
Wilderness Safaris Namibia sal met hul lugpatrollies met 'n vliegtuig en twee helikopters voortgaan om swartrenosters in die Noordweste te beskerm. Wilderness Safaris se vennootskap met die Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT) en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme se suksesvolle teenstropery-operasie wat deel vorm van 'n veldtog wat verlede jaar van stapel gestuur is, is 'n reusesukses.
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NAM_2020-05_Lugpatrollies vir renosters duur voort_Republikein.pdf | 346.67 KB |
NAM_2020-05_Air patrols for rhinos continue_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 346.98 KB |
Despite a country-wide lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic, South Africa’s anti-poaching rangers remain on patrol, protecting one of the country’s most valuable resources at a time when conservationists fear a lack of tourists may be putting rare animals at greater risk from illegal hunting.
South Africa’s drive to use wild animals as commercial trade goods has been ratcheted up a notch with the appointment of a high-level panel to review the policies, legislation and practices of breeding, hunting and trading of elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos. The panel’s terms of reference and the people appointed by Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy make it extremely unlikely to support wildlife welfare and conservation. The appointment of the panel follows the almost surreptitious listing late last year of 32 wild animals under the…
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SA_2020-05_Barbara Creecys wildlife panel is trying to reinvent the wheel _City Press.pdf | 1.05 MB |