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.
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A six-year jail sentence for a man who smuggled 1 100 Emperor scorpions, 42 Bell's hingeback tortoises and a water lizard. Seventeen years imprisonment for elephant poachers in the Kruger National Park. A 10-year jail sentence for a pangolin poacher.
Three Namibian male suspects aged 26, 30 and 33 are due in court after they were arrested on Saturday night in Kavango West for illegal possession of a live pangolin and two elephant tusks.
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NAM_2022_08_Three nabbed for elephant tusks_New Era.pdf | 413.3 KB |
Rhino poaching rates in Africa declined to 2.3% in 2021 from 3.9% of the population in 2018. This is according to a new report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the global non-governmental organisation Traffic. The report was compiled for the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which will be held in Panama in November.
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NAM_2022_08_Rhino poaching in Africa drops during Covid_19_Namibian Sun.pdf | 699.84 KB |
Die Nashornwilderei in Afrika ist von 3,9 % in 2018 auf 2,3 % in 2021 zurückgegangen. Dies geht aus einem neuen Bericht der IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) und der NGO Traffic hervor. Der Bericht ist für die 19. Tagung der Konferenz der Vertragsparteien des Übereinkommens über den internationalen Handel mit gefährdeten Arten freilebender Tiere und Pflanzen (CITES) bestimmt, die im November dieses Jahres in Panama stattfinden wird. Dem Bericht zufolge wurden zwischen 2018 und 2021 mindestens 2 707 Nashörner in Afrika gewildert.
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NAM_2022_08_Rueckgang der Nashornwilderei in Afrika_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 443.79 KB |
NAM_2022-08_Rhino poaching decline in Africa_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 434.49 KB |
Members of the Hartbeespoort Crime Prevention and K9 Unit and Brits police received information regarding a rhino poaching syndicate that had moved into the Brits area. Information was immediately followed up and police discovered the six men's whereabouts in Majakaneng. Police also established that the men were targeting a game lodge with rhinos near Brits where the alleged poachers had an inside informant.
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SA_2022_08_Police thwart rhino poachers_Kormorant.pdf | 723.2 KB |
Rhino conservation groups say a collaborative, cross-border approach is needed to stop poaching. South Africa lost 259 rhinos to poaching in the first half of the year. Private game reserves are increasingly targeted by poachers, forcing them to increase security measures.
Cape Town - Threats to African rhinos from transnational crime networks remain high, despite the reported pause during the Covid-19 lockdown periods. This is according to the IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group's (AfRSG) updated information on rhino populations. At a continental scale, the threat of illegal wildlife trade in rhino horn to African rhinos has declined to 2.3% poaching rate of the total population from the peak in 2015, at 5.3%.
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SA_2022_08_Rhino poaching on the rise as SA opens_IOL.pdf | 153.35 KB |
The rhino's survival remains in grave danger despite Covid-19-related drops in poaching and the illegal trade in their horns, a conservation body said on Monday. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said that poaching was still "an acute threat" to the survival of the species. A total of 2 707 rhinos were poached in Africa between 2018 and 2021, according to the IUCN, the vast majority of which were killed in South Africa, mainly in the Kruger National Park. South Africa is home to nearly 80 percent of the world's rhinos.
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SA_2022_08_Poaching horn trade declining but rhinos still threatened_News24.pdf | 597.84 KB |
A white rhino has reportedly been killed and dehorned by poachers inside the protected Khama Rhino Sanctuary (KRS) in Botswana. Two separate conservationists have reported about the killing. One conservationist told this publication that their sources inside the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) confirmed the incident. "Two weeks ago a white rhino was poached at Khama Rhino Sanctuary but they are denying it happened at their property but sources inside DWNP confirm it was indeed at KRS."
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BOT_08_Rhino killed at Khama Sanctuary_Sunday Standard.pdf | 437.09 KB |
New York - A U.S. judge sentenced a Liberian man to 63 months in prison for conspiring to traffic millions of dollars’ worth of horns and ivory from endangered rhinoceros and elephants, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Last week, five white rhinos were poached on private farms, bringing 2022's total to 39, of which 15 were white rhinos.
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NAM_2022_08_Poaching gang targets white rhinos_Namibian Sun.pdf | 493.32 KB |
in der vergangenen Woche fünf Breitmaulnashörner auf privaten Farmen durch Wilderer verloren, womit sich die Gesamtzahl der in diesem Jahr gewilderten Nashörner auf 39 erhöht hat, von denen 15 Breitmaulnashörner waren.
Namibia has lost five white rhinos on private farms to poachers in the past week, bringing the total number of rhinos poached this year to 39, of which 15 were white rhinos.
The trial of a former Kruger National Park ranger and a state veterinary technician accused of rhino poaching has been postponed to November 22 because the court dates of the accused's legal representative clash with another trial. The ranger, Rodney Landela, and state vet Kenneth Motshotso appeared in court on Tuesday for the trial, which was meant to run until Friday. Landela and Motshotso were arrested on July 27 2016 for the possession of two rhino horns, a rifle and ammunition.
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SA_2022_08_Rhino poaching case of former park ranger and state vet postponed again_City Press.pdf | 446.57 KB |
South Africa has experienced an increase in rhino poaching following a lull during the Covid-19 lockdown. Earlier this month, the country's Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment reported that 259 rhinos had been poached during the first half of 2022. This is a four percent increase in the number of animals killed during the same period last year. Rhino poaching incidents appear to be moving away from South Africa's national parks and into private wildlife conservancies where roughly 40 percent of the country's rhinos are found.
Six years after two rhinos were killed and poached, a former Kruger National Park ranger and state veterinarian technician could soon hear their fate. Their trial dates have been set for Tuesday until Friday. Former ranger Rodney Landela and former state vet Kenneth Motshotso were arrested on July 27 2016. The pair were arrested for the possession of two rhino horns, a firearm and ammunition.
Despite international agreements to combat illegal wildlife trade, poaching and trafficking is booming. Governments are meeting Wednesday in Botswana to evaluate current measures. As illegal wildlife activity reaches alarmingly high levels worldwide, governments are meeting in Kasane, Botswana, Wednesday to discuss the success of current measures against poaching and wildlife trafficking.
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AFR_2022_08_Illegal wildlife trade_DW.pdf | 530.64 KB |
In die minder as agt maande van 2022 wat al verby is, is 36 renosters reeds oraloor die land gestroop. In die nuutste voorvalle is die karkas van ’n witrenoster gister op 'n private plaas in die Okahandja-distrik ontdek. Maandag is karkasse van nog twee gestroopte witrenosters op 'n private plaas in die Outjo-distrik aangemeld. Net verlede week het die ministerie gesê 33 renosters is vanjaar gestroop, waarvan 24 swartrenosters en nege witrenosters was.
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NAM_2022_08_Vier renosters twee dae_Republikein.pdf | 528.92 KB |
NAM_2022_08_Four rhinos two days_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 647.91 KB |
Ein Breitmaulnashornkadaver wurde gestern auf einer privaten Farm in der Okahandja-Gegend entdeckt. Zwei weitere Kadaver der gleichen Art wurden wiederrum am Montag auf einer privaten Farm in der Outjo Gegend entdeckt. Die Tiere sollen von Wilderern getötet worden sein.
A white rhino carcass was discovered yesterday on a private farm in the Okahandja area. Two more carcasses of the same species were discovered Monday at a private farm in the Outjo area. The animals are said to have been killed by poachers.
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NAM_2022_08_Drei weitere Nashoerner gewildert_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 665.04 KB |
NAM_2022_08_Three more rhinos poached_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 585.67 KB |
Eight months into the year and already 36 rhinos have been poached across the country. In the latest incidents, the carcass of a white rhino was discovered yesterday on a private farm in the Okahandja district. On Monday, the carcasses of two more white rhinos - killed by poachers - were discovered on a private farm in the Outjo district. Just last week, the ministry said 33 rhinos had been poached this year, of which 24 were black rhinos and nine were white rhinos.
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NAM_2022_08_36 rhinos poached_Namibian Sun.pdf | 684.96 KB |
Ahmed is wanted in the U.S after he was charged in an indictment alongside Moazu Kromah, aka "Ayoub," Amara Cherif, aka "Bamba Issiaka," and Mansur Mohamed Surur, aka "Mansour," for participating in a conspiracy to traffic in Rhinoceros horns and Elephant ivory, both protected wildlife species, valued at more than 7 million dollars. This involved the illegal poaching of more than 35 rhinoceros and more than 100 elephants.
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KEN_2022_08_Second Fugitive on US Most Wanted List arrested in Meru_Capital News.pdf | 1.17 MB |
Rhino poachers are heartless and kill every rhino they see - young or old, with of without a horn - just to get rid of them from the reserve and to "try and make their job easier", should they come back. This is according to Ezemvelo Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo. This week, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Barbara Creecy said that KwaZulu-Natal recorded a loss of 133 rhinos in the first half of the year - which is more than triple the 33 rhino killed in the first six months of 2021.
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SA_2022_08_KZNs rhino population is being decimated by highly organised poachers_Witness.pdf | 528.01 KB |
Volgens die woordvoerder van die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, mnr. Romeo Muyunda, het vanjaar se stroperyvoorvalle 15 gestroopte renosters in die Etosha Nasionale Park, nege renosters op bewaringsplase en nog nege op private plase ingesluit.
According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of the Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Mr. Romeo Muyunda, this year's poaching incidents included 15 poached rhinos in the Etosha National Park, nine rhinos on conservation farms and another nine on private farms.
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NAM_2022_08_Renosterstropers stel hul visier op plase in_Republikein.pdf | 596.12 KB |
NAM_2022_08_Thino poachers set their aim on farms_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 594.62 KB |
In diesem Jahr wurden laut des Umweltministeriums (MEFT) 33 Nashörner gewildert, davon sind 24 Spitzmaulnashörner und neun Breitmaulnashörner. "Es wurden neun Nashörner auf Farmen unter Treuhandverwaltung gewildert, weitere neun auf privaten Farmen und 15 im Etoscha-Nationalpark", so die Erklärung des Umweltministeriums. Namibia verzeichnete demnach 44 gewilderte Nashörner in 2021, 42 in 2020, 57 in 2019, 83 in 2018 und 55 in 2017.
Rhino poachers in Namibia have shifted focus from national parks to custodianship and private farms with both black and white rhinos being the target, an official said. Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) has recorded 33 rhinos poached since the start of the year, of which 24 were black rhinos and nine were white rhinos, said MEFT spokesperson Romeo Muyunda in a statement.
Rhino poachers have shifted focus from national parks to custodianship and private farms with both black and white rhinos being the target, Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism spokesperson (MEFT) Romeo Muyunda said this week. According to MEFT, 33 rhinos poached have been poached so far this year, of which 24 are black rhinos and nine are white rhinos.
A total of 82 rhinos have been poached in the Kruger National Park between January and June this year.
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SA_2022_08_Rhino poaching numbers increase from 2021_Lowvelder.pdf | 152.82 KB |
Almost 260 rhino were poached for their hornsin South Africa in the firstsix months of this year.
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SA_2022_08_Our Viewpoint _ Rhino poaching_Witness.pdf | 433.55 KB |
Nationally South Africa lost 259 rhino in the first six months of this year - 10 more than in the corresponding period last year - with concern expressed about the amount of poaching in KwaZulu-Natal and private game reserves. Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Barbara Creecy maintains the "trend" away from what has long been poacher target number one - the Kruger National Park - makes it "important for national government to shift its focus to supporting provincial authorities and private reserves in the war on rhino poaching".
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SA_2022_08_Rhino poaching update shows KwaZulu_Natal now target of_choicedefenceWeb.pdf | 345.49 KB |
A total of 259 rhinos were poached for their horn in South Africa, over the first six months of 2022.
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SA_2022_08_259 rhinos poached in SA over the last 6 months_EWN.pdf | 296.67 KB |
Authorities in Mozambique have arrested "Navara", aka Simon Ernesto Valoi, and an associate in connection with allegedly attempting to sell rhino horns in the country’s capital, Maputo. For many years Navara has had the reputation of being one of the most notorious rhino poaching syndicate leaders in Mozambique. He was arrested with an associate, Paulo Zukula, on July 26 2022 in possession of eight rhino horns.
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MOZ_2022_08_Notorious rhino kingpin Navara under arrest in Mozambique_Oxpeckers.pdf | 562.74 KB |
Rhino poaching has decreased by almost 53% in the first six months of 2020, with 166 animals being killed for their horns across the country since the beginning of the year. During the first six months of 2019, 316 rhino had been poached in South Africa.
Volgens die weeklikse wildmisdaadverslag vanaf 20 tot 26 Julie van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is twee verdagtes in verband met renosterstropery of horingsmokkelary in hegtenis geneem. Mnre. Murumbua Vetjesavi en Richard Kandjii is by Otjondjeka in hegtenis geneem en beslag is op twee renosterhorings en 'n voertuig gelê.
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NAM_2020-07_Drie vas oor horings_Republikein.pdf | 321.41 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Three arrested for rhino horn_ivory_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 322.38 KB |
Canadian gold miner, B2Gold on Wednesday announced the launch of its Namibian Rhino Gold Bar campaign in North America to support the conservation and protection of the critically endangered black rhinos.
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NAM_2020-07_B2GOLDS local rhino gold bar campaign launched in North America-Namibian Economist.pdf | 404.94 KB |
"They just get out on bail and do it again" - this is a widespread public sentiment regarding crime in Namibia, and wildlife crime in particular. There are many misconceptions about law enforcement and the judiciary. Bail is just one of them. At the end of 2019, the number of suspects out on bail amounted to less than 20% for all crimes related to high-value wildlife (pangolin, elephant, rhinos).
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NAM_2020-07_Wildlife Crime and the Law_The Namibian.pdf | 985.42 KB |
Es wurden sechs neue Fälle von Wildtierkriminalität und 13 Verhaftungen in diesem Zusammenhang für die vergangene Woche registriert.
Six new wildlife crime cases and 13 related arrests have been recorded for the past week.
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NAM_2020-07_Erneute Faelle von Wilderei_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 331.35 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Repeated cases of poaching_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 326.52 KB |
B2Gold Corp. is pleased to announce the launch of its Namibian Rhino Gold Bar campaign in North America to help support the conservation and protection of the critically endangered black rhinos, and the communitybased rhino rangers and trackers who protect the rhinos, in Namibia, Southern Africa.
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NAM_2020-07_B2Gold Announces the Launch of its Namibian Rhino Gold Bar Campaign.PDF | 1.06 MB |
Thirteen suspects have been arrested for wildlife crimes and six new cases were opened within the past two weeks. A total of 19 illegal wildlife products were confiscated in these crimes, according to information provided by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resource division within the safety and security ministry. Five vehicles were also seized.
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NAM_2020-07_13 arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 287.08 KB |
'n Man met dubbele burgerskap en twee identiteite wat met die rooftog van 33 renosterhorings uit 'n kluis in 'n huis op Outjo in September 2019 verbind word, is in Februarie by die Suid-Afrikaanse grenspos, Vioolsdrift, met twee renosterhorings vasgetrek.
A man with dual citizenship and two identities connected to the robbery of 33 rhino horns from a safe in a house on Outjo in September 2019, was arrested at the South African border post, Vioolsdrift, in February with two rhino horns.
Een verdagte, mnr. Matheus Mukoya Katjire, is verlede Woensdag op Divundu in verband met olifantstropery of ivoorsmokkelary vasgetrek en twee olifanttande is gekonfiskeer.
A suspect, Mr. Matheus Mukoya Katjire, was arrested last Wednesday on Divundu in connection with elephant poaching or ivory smuggling and two elephant tusks were confiscated.
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NAM_2020-07_Drie vas oor renosterhorings_Republikein.pdf | 321.68 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Three arrested for rhino hornsand ivory_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 226.14 KB |
Gunshot technology ShotSpotter is being used to deter rhino poaching in Kruger National Park, helping authorities reduce unsanctioned killings by 60% inside the park’s Intensified Protection Zone (IPZ). South Africa, which holds nearly 80% of the world's rhinos, has been the country hit hardest by poaching criminals, with more than 1 000 rhinos killed each year between 2013 and 2017. Kruger is a critical poaching area.
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SA_2020-07_Gunshot tech helps Kruger Park reduce rhino poaching_ITWeb.pdf | 175.31 KB |
Intelligence Support Against Poaching (ISAP) recently held a course on how to handle a poaching scene correctly. The animal crime scene and evidence handling course took place from 16 to 19 July, and was presented by Wildlife Vets Namibia. Participants included veterinarians, lodge managers, wildlife farmers, members of crime prevention forums, hunting farm owners, students and representatives of the tourism industry.
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NAM_2020-07_Securing a poaching scene_Namibian Sun.pdf | 420.05 KB |
The self-proclaimed prophet Jackson Babi (30) and his co-accused Frizans Naululu Dumeni (25) have approached the court to be released on bail. They appeared before Magistrate Linus Samunzala in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Friday. The court gallery was packed to the rafters with Babi’s supporters. The court scheduled their bail hearing to 30 July, further issuing an order to have the two accused transferred from the Dordabis police station to the Windhoek police station for their bail hearing.
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NAM_2020-07_Incarcerated prophet appeals for bail_New Era.pdf | 431.85 KB |
A self-styled 'prophet' who has been in police custody for the past two months after being arrested on charges of rhino poaching and dealing in or possessing two rhino horns, is planning to apply for bail this week. Jackson Babi, who uses the title 'prophet' and is the founder of the House of Joy Ministries evangelical religious group in Windhoek, will launch a bail application in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Thursday, defence lawyer Kadhila Amoomo informed magistrate Linus Samunzala during a court appearance by Babi and a co-accused, Frizans Naululu Dumeni, on Friday…
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NAM_2020-07_From The Courts_E_magistrate lied at bail hearing_The Namibian.pdf | 458.35 KB |
The Director of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) Brigadier Peter Magosi has defended government’s decision to dehorn Botswana’s rhinos as an anti-poaching control measure. Magosi has said the dehorning of rhinos was the only way they could ensure protection of the animals from poachers.
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BOT_2020-07_Its better to show tourists a dehorned rhino than nothing at all_Magosi_Sunday Standard.pdf | 197.57 KB |
Ten suspects were arrested recently in connection with wildlife crimes and four new cases have been registered. Seven of the suspects were arrested for elephant poaching or trafficking cases, while another suspect was arrested in connection with a rhino poaching case.
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NAM_2020-07_10 arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 297.56 KB |
Die Anti-Wilderei-Initiative ISAP (Intelligence Support Against Poaching) und „Wildlife Vets Namibia“ haben einen Kurs zur besseren Aufklärung von Wildtierverbrechen durch die Handhabung von Beweisen angeboten. Die Teilnehmer des Kurses, der bei der ISAP-Einrichtung stattfand, erhielten Information über die Wilderei sowie einen Einblick in die Komplexität der Beweisfindung. Als Hauptziel gilt, die Polizei durch die ordnungsgemäße Sicherung eines Tatorts und von Beweisen zu unterstützen.
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NAM_2020-07_Beweismaterial besser handhaben_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 496.22 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Handle evidence better_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 495.1 KB |
The Rhino Files are periodic articles exploring the complexity of rhino conservation in Namibia. "We aim to detect criminal activity and arrest poachers before a rhino is killed." This might sound overly-ambitious, but Barry de Klerk knows it's possible. Operation Blue Rhino has made over 100 pre-emptive arrests in around 30 cases since its inception in mid-2018. Would-be poachers are being caught before they can kill a rhino. Pro-active law enforcement has saved dozens of animals.
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NAM_2020-7_The Rhino Files_The Three Pillars of Rhino Management_The Namibian.pdf | 419.58 KB |
Tien verdagtes is in hegtenis geneem in verband met wildmisdaad en vier nuwe sake is aanhangig gemaak. Sewe van die verdagtes is in hegtenis geneem vir olifantstropery of -handel, terwyl ’n ander verdagte gearresteer is in verband met renosterstropery.
Ten suspects have been arrested in connection with game crime and four new cases have been filed. Seven of the suspects were arrested for elephant poaching or trafficking, while another suspect was arrested in connection with rhino poaching.
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NAM_2020-07_10 vas vir wildmisdaad_Republikein.pdf | 347.67 KB |
NAM_2020-07_10 arrested for wildlife crime_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 245.51 KB |
What should a farmer, lodge manager, landowner or a farm worker do when he stumbles across a poaching scene? Participants of the Animal Crime Scene and Evidence Handling Course received detailed answers to this question while gaining insight into the complexity of gathering evidence. During the course, participants were reminded that they are neither police officers nor experts in collecting evidence.
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NAM_2020-07_Securing a poaching scene_Windhoek Express.pdf | 602.61 KB |