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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 - 50 of 60
Friday, 29 September 2023
McCann G 2023. Vietnamese syndicates wiping out African megafauna.

Vietnamese syndicates play an outsized, sophisticated role in the illicit trade of elephant ivory, rhinoceros horn, pangolin scales, and other wildlife products, according to a recent undercover investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency that details sourcing, packing, and transporting ivory and rhino horn through an intricate maze of transport routes out of various African ports to Malaysia, then through Laos, and finally overland into Vietnam. The numbers are staggering.

Thursday, 28 September 2023
Dube S 2023. Mozambican national sentenced to 10 years for killing a rhino in Kruger National Park.

A Mozambican national has been sentenced to ten years behind bars for killing a rhino at Kruger National Park in Skukuza while serving another jail sentence for a similar offence. The Skukuza Regional Court has sentenced a Mozambican national, Lucky Mabunda, 47, to 10 years of direct imprisonment for killing a rhino in Skukuza National Park in 2019.

Thursday, 28 September 2023
Rondganger L 2023. R155 billion a year! The cost of organised crime as South Africa becomes a haven for mafia-style networks.

R155 billion!

Tuesday, 26 September 2023
Du Plessis Y 2023. Perde opgesaal vir renosterbewaring.

Vanjaar is 39 renosters tot dusver in Namibië gestroop, vergeleke met 92 in 2022 en 50 in 2021. Die minister van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, Pohamba Shifeta, het hierdie syfers gedeel by die herdenking van Wêreldrenosterdag Vrydag by Okaukuejo in die Etosha Nasionale Park. By die geleentheid het die minister ook amptelik 'n perde-teenstropingseenheid van stapel gestuur. Die ministerie het altesaam 13 perde teen N$10 000 elk gekoop, met finansieringshulp van die Wildprodukte- rustfonds.

Monday, 25 September 2023
2023. Namibia steps up anti-poaching efforts.

Namibia strengthened its anti-poaching drive by launching two rhino preservation plans and a horse patrol unit at the country's Etosha National Park on Friday. Speaking at the commemoration of World Rhino Day, which falls on 22 September every year, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta said the day is dedicated to raising awareness of the threats facing the rhino population, and how the world can come together to protect these endangered species.

Monday, 25 September 2023
Smit E 2023. Horses roped into rhino protection fight.

This year, 39 rhinos have been poached so far in Namibia, compared to 92 in 2022 and 50 in 2021. Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta presented these figures at the commemoration of World Rhino Day on Friday at Okaukuejo in Etosha National Park. At the event, the minister also officially launched a horse anti-poaching unit. A total of 13 horses have been purchased by the ministry for N$10 000 each, with funding support from the Game Product Trust Fund.

Monday, 25 September 2023
2023. Anti-poaching drive beefed up with introduction of rhino management plans and horse patrols.

The anti-poaching drive was strengthened with the recent launch of two Rhino Management plans and a horse patrol unit last week at the Etosha National Park on Friday. Speaking at the commemoration of World Rhino Day, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Pohamba Shifeta said the day is dedicated to raising awareness about the threats that the rhino population is facing and how the world can come together and protect these endangered species.

Monday, 25 September 2023
Reiter C 2023. Welt-Nashorn-Tag begangen.

Für die Erhaltung und den Schutz der Nashörner führt das Ministerium laut Pohamba daher den Einsatz einer Pferdeeinheit ein. Insgesamt 13 Pferde wurden vom Ministerium mit finanzieller
Unterstützung des "Game Product Trust Fund" für jeweils 10 000 N$ gekauft. Demnach werden
acht Pferde im Etosha-Nationalpark stationiert sein und fünf im Waterberg-Plateau-Park.

Sunday, 24 September 2023
Lazarus S 2023. Environment Ministry ups fights against rhino poaching.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has launched a new initiative to fight against rhino poaching. Speaking at the launch of the initiative, which coincided with the commemoration of the World Rhino Day hosted at Okaukejo over the weekend, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said Namibia has the second-largest white Rhino population in the world after South Africa and the largest population of black Rhinos in the world. However, Shifeta said that rhinos have become an endangered species, and, in some areas, they have even become extinct…

Friday, 22 September 2023
Moodley P 2023. Researcher highlights continuous rhino onslaught in South Africa.

As the globe observes World Rhino Day, South Africa has lost 231 rhinos to poaching since the beginning of the year.

Friday, 22 September 2023
Moodley P 2023. 231 rhinos lost to poaching in SA this year, ongoing concerns on World Rhino Day.

South Africa has lost 231 rhinos to poaching since the beginning of the year.

Wednesday, 20 September 2023
2023. Rhino poaching remains a challenge in SA and Africa.

As the international community marks World Rhino Day on Friday, South Africa and other parts of the African continent are still facing the challenge of rhino poaching. The International Rhino Foundation says poachers have shifted their focus from the larger rhino populations to smaller, and possibly more susceptible ones. In South Africa, poachers are focusing on smaller areas, like the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, which has borne the brunt of South Africa’s rhino poaching deaths in the past year. While Namibia, home to the…

Tuesday, 19 September 2023
Dance A 2023. Animal CSI: Forensics comes for the wildlife trade.

Campbell's death was as gruesome as the killers' previous nine known crimes. Found mutilated in a pool of blood at his home in the district of Albany, South Africa, in June 2016, Campbell had been drugged but was likely in pain before he died from his injuries. Campbell was a white rhinoceros living on a private reserve, and his killing would be the last hurrah of the now notorious Ndlovu Gang.

Monday, 18 September 2023
Whitton J 2023. Rhino Poaching: Will it ever end?.

There are around 26 000 rhinos left in the world. 68% of those live in South Africa. By far the majority of them are Southern White Rhinos, which are particularly vulnerable to poaching, because most of them are found in the open Savannah of national parks, making them easy targets. There are four other remaining species of rhino. The Black Rhino, of which there are around 6000, is found in southern and east Africa. The other African species, the Northern White Rhino, is effectively extinct, as the two remaining are both female.

Tuesday, 12 September 2023
2023. Illegal wildlife trade fuels poaching  - Segokgo.

Pangolin poaching for enhanced sexual pleasure on the increase. The Commander of Botswana Defence Force, Lieutenant General Placid Segokgo, has warned that poaching will continue to be part of our lives for as long as some countries in Asia cling to their beliefs that some organs of wild animals give them sexual powers. Addressing journalists at a recent press briefing, Segokgo said, “There are some people in the East who believe that consuming or applying samples of organs such as horns, teeth, or even skins enhance their sexual…

Thursday, 7 September 2023
Schultz C 2023. SANParks make strides against rhino poaching.

South African National Parks (SANParks) recently introduced new measures to help combat poaching in the country's biggest national parks. Building on last year’s donation of four Bat Hawk surveillance aircraft to aid surveillance, conservation,and anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park, Anglo American Platinum donated another BatHawk last week that will be going to SANParks' Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape.

Monday, 4 September 2023
Maela T 2023. SANParks records a 78% decrease in Rhino poaching.

Building on last year's donation of four Bat Hawk surveillance aircraft to South African National Parks (SANParks) to aid surveillance, conservation and anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park, Anglo American Platinum this morning donated another Bat Hawk that will be going to SANParks' Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. In addition, a Bat Hawk aircraft will be donated to Mapungubwe National Park, which is located on the border of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Friday, 31 July 2020
2020. South Africa - environment minister Creecy says rhino decreased by more than half in first half of 2020 and makes COVID-19 link.

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.

Thursday, 30 July 2020
Denker H 2020. Wildlife Crime and the Law.

"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).

Thursday, 30 July 2020
2020. Drie vas oor horings, ivoor.

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.

Thursday, 30 July 2020
2020. B2Golds local rhino gold bar campaign launched in North America.

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.

Wednesday, 29 July 2020
2020. Erneute Fälle von Wilderei.

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.

Wednesday, 29 July 2020
Stevens LM 2020. B2Gold Announces the Launch of its Namibian Rhino Gold Bar Campaign in North America to Support the Conservation and Protection of the Critically Endangered Black Rhino.

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.

Wednesday, 29 July 2020
Smit E 2020. 13 arrested for wildlife crimes.

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.

Wednesday, 29 July 2020
Miller D 2020. A rhino poacher in Africa reveals why - and how - he kills the animals.
Tuesday, 28 July 2020
Steynberg F 2020. 'Horingsmokkelaar' by Vioolsdrif-grenspos vas.

'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.

Tuesday, 28 July 2020
2020. Drie vas oor renosterhorings, ivoor.

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.

Monday, 27 July 2020
Amakali M 2020. Incarcerated 'prophet' appeals for bail.

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.

Monday, 27 July 2020
Menges W 2020. From The Courts ... Ex-magistrate lied at bail hearing.

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…

Monday, 27 July 2020
Motlhoka T 2020. It's better to show tourists a dehorned rhino than nothing at all-Magosi.

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.

Monday, 27 July 2020
Mungadze S 2020. Gunshot tech helps Kruger Park reduce rhino poaching.

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.

Monday, 27 July 2020
Smit E 2020. Securing a poaching scene.

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.

Friday, 24 July 2020
Smit E 2020. 10 arrested for wildlife crimes.

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.

Thursday, 23 July 2020
Denker H 2020. The rhino files: The three pillars of rhino management.

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.

Thursday, 23 July 2020
2020. Beweismaterial besser handhaben.

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.

Wednesday, 22 July 2020
Smit E 2020. 10 vas vir wildmisdaad.

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.

Wednesday, 22 July 2020
2020. Securing a poaching scene - the right way.

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.

Wednesday, 22 July 2020
Chen A 2020. Different approaches adopted by countries to combat wildlife poaching.

The world is dealing with an unbelievable spike in the illegal wildlife trade, one that in many ways threatens the past few decades of gains in conservation efforts. To combat the rising threat from poaching, conservationists have devised several strategies, some of which have been greatly effective.

Thursday, 16 July 2020
Smit E 2020. Demand for ivory, rhino horn drops.

Annual illicit income generated from ivory and rhino horn trafficking between 2016 and 2018 was estimated at US$400 million and US$230 million respectively. The illegal global trade in ivory and rhino horn has declined, while trafficking of pangolins has soared, according to a United Nations report based on four years of data.

Wednesday, 15 July 2020
2020. Germany mobilizes additional €13m for Namibia to mitigate COVID-19 challenges in conservation, tourism sector.

The German Federal Government has mobilized additional resources of €13 million to support the Namibian Government, through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, in mitigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the conservation and tourism sector.

Wednesday, 15 July 2020
2020. IRF awards grant to offset Covid-19 impact, protect rhinos in southern Africa.

The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) has awarded emergency grants totalling nearly $150,000 to six wildlife organisations in Southern Africa following severe budget shortfalls as a result of the loss of tourism income in the region.

Wednesday, 15 July 2020
Baloyi T 2020. OR Tambo seizes R115 million worth of rhino horn.

Sars said the consignment of six boxes, containing the horns that had been concealed in carbon paper and foil, was destined for Kuala Lampur in Malaysia.

Monday, 13 July 2020
Peters C 2020. Elfenbein, Schuppen, Tropenholz - Schmuggel geschützter Arten boomt.

Der verbotene Handel mit geschützten Tieren und Pflanzen bleibt laut einem UN-Bericht ein Milliardengeschäft. Neben Elefant, Nashorn und Tiger geht es derzeit vor allem dem Schuppentier an den Kragen. Das stand zwischenzeitlich auch als Coronavirus-Wirt im Verdacht. 

The prohibited trade in protected animals and plants remains a billion dollar business, according to a UN report. In addition to the elephant, rhinoceros and tiger, the pangolin is currently on the collar. In the meantime, this was also suspected as a corona virus host.

Saturday, 11 July 2020
Murphy F, Maclean W Illegal ivory trade shrinks while Pangolin trafficking booms, U.N. Says.

The illegal global trade in ivory has shrunk while the trafficking of pangolins has soared, a U.N.

Friday, 10 July 2020
Smit E 2020. Anti-poaching dog unit given teeth.

Four new dogs will be imported from the Netherlands to beef up the environment ministry's anti-poaching dog unit, which has helped arrest suspects in 52 poaching cases so far. The four dogs at Waterberg are trained to search buildings, vehicles, luggage and open areas for firearms, ammunition and illegal wildlife products such as ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales and bush meat.

Friday, 10 July 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Honde trek menige wildstropers vas - Teenstropery-eenheid suksesvol.

Die vyf honde wat in 2017 deur die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme ingespan is om met teenstropery te help, het reeds in 52 wildstroperysake verdagtes vasgetrek. Die minister, mnr. Pohamba Shifeta, het Woensdag in die hoofstad gesê in die mees onlangse voorval het vier honde van die eenheid, naamlik Alex, Benno, Baron en Nora, vermeende renosterstropers op ’n plaas aangrensend tot die Waterberg-platopark vasgetrek.

Friday, 10 July 2020
Shihepo T 2020. Nam anti-poaching gets 'bite'.

Namibia has recorded a drastic reduction in poaching in the past three years because of improved response mechanisms. Most of the success is attributed to the Environment and Tourism Ministry's efforts to upscale law enforcement components of conservation. Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta said anti-poaching canine units (the Ministry of Environment and Tourism Dog Unit) had been deployed to good effect. "The Dog Unit is part of our anti-poaching initiatives.

Thursday, 9 July 2020
2020. Anti-poaching drive gets boost from local partners - MEFT Dog Unit contributes to the fight.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s anti poaching campaign specifically the Dog Unit, was this week beefed up when they received a Toyota Land Cruiser Double CAB V8 from Standard Bank as well as donations from other organisations. The other organizations namely SWAVET, MDS Animal Health and Rhino Park Private Hospital also donated vital veterinary amenities for the dogs which included drugs and food to the Canine Unit.

Thursday, 9 July 2020
2020. Großer Beitrag zum Kampf gegen die Wilderei.

Die Standard Bank hat dem Umweltministerium ein Geländefahrzeug im Wert von 840000 Namibia-Dollar gespendet, das für Einsätze der Antiwilderei-Hundeeinheit im Kampf gegen organisierte Umweltverbrechen vorgesehen ist. Der Umweltminister, Pohamba Shifeta, nahm den Schüssel des Toyota Land Cruisers, der speziell auf die Bedürfnisse der Einheit abgestimmt wurde, gestern in Windhoek entgegen und übergab ihn an die Hundebetreuer.

Thursday, 9 July 2020
Smit E 2020. Poaching incidents declining - Shifeta.

Namibia is experiencing a reduction in wildlife poaching incidents, while more arrests have been recorded. This is according to environment minister Pohamba Shifeta, who gave a breakdown of rhino, elephant and pangolin poaching incidents and arrests dating back to 2018. This year, 17 rhinos have been poached, compared to 46 last year and 78 in 2018. A total of 89 suspects has been arrested for rhino poaching cases this year, compared to 175 last year and 109 in 2018. Shifeta said 15 rhino horns have been seized this year, compared to eight last year and 16 in 2018.

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