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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.

Explore your search results using the filter checkboxes, or amend your search or start a new search.

Displaying results 1 - 36 of 36
Wednesday, 25 August 2021
Kamati E 2021. Beweerde stropers bly in aanhouding.

Die drie mans het verlede week hul eerste hofverskyning gemaak nadat hulle op 'n gruispad naby Ohorongo Cement in besit van 'n knaldemper, lewendige ammunisie, 'n jaggeweer, swaarkaliber-ammunisie, 'n mes en 'n panga betrap is. Die vermoede is dat hulle onderweg was om renosters op 'n nabygeleë plaas te stroop.

Wednesday, 25 August 2021
Kamati E 2021. Accused poachers remanded at Otavi.

Three suspects arrested on poaching charges near Otavi last week were remanded in custody by the Otavi magistrate's court. The three were arrested on a gravel road near the Ohorongo Cement factory on Tuesday. They were found in possession of a silencer, ammunition, one hunting rifle, a knife and a machete. They were suspected to have been on a rhino poaching mission at a nearby farm.

Wednesday, 25 August 2021
2021. Prozess gegen vermutliche Wilderer in Otavi.

Der Prozess gegen drei der Wilderei beschuldigten Männer in Otavi hat begonnen. Die Namibier zwischen 32 und 51 Jahren waren vergangene Woche nahe Ohorongo festgenommen worden, weil sie sich vermutlich, so die Anklage, auf einer Wildereimission befaden. Sie waren in Besitz eines Schalldämpfers, einer Jagdwaffe, schwerer Munition, eines Messers und einer Machete. Angeblich sollen sie versucht haben, auf einer nahegelegenen Farm Nashörner zu wildern.

Saturday, 21 August 2021
Makhafola G 2021. Poachers kill and dehorn two white rhinos on Free State farm, injure a third.

Free State police are on the hunt for poachers who killed and dehorned two white rhinos and injured a third at a farm in Steynsrus. Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said a case of rhino poaching was registered in terms of Section 57 of the Bioversity Act 10 of 2004 "after two rhino bulls were killed and one injured in Geduldfontein Farm". "The value of the two killed rhino bulls is R800 000," Makhele added.

Friday, 20 August 2021
2021. Drei mutmaßliche Nashornwilderer bei Otavi verhaftet.

Drei Männer, die verdächtigt werden, Nashornwilderer zu sein, wurden am Dienstagnachmittag in der Nähe von Otavi in der Otjozondjupa-Region verhaftet. Laut Polizeisprecherin der Otjozondjupa-Region, Inspektorin Maureen Mbeha, wurde ein Jagdgewehr mit einem Teleskop und einem Schalldämpfer in einem Kleinwagen gefunden, in der das Trio auf einer Schotterstraße nördlich von Otavi unterwegs war. Acht scharfe Munition, eine Panga und ein Messer wurden ebenfalls gefunden, so Mbeha.

Thursday, 19 August 2021
Khakhau S 2021. Anti-poaching bodies call for stricter sentences for rhino poachers.

Some anti-poaching organizations are calling upon the justice system to strengthen punishment against those found guilty of rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking. This comes after the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment recently released statistics indicating that rhino poaching incidents committed in the country within the first six months of the year have increased by 33% compared to last year, during the same period. Nature conservationists say the rhino is among the endangered species, not only in South Africa and the African continent but across the…

Tuesday, 17 August 2021
2021. 249 rhino poached in first six months of 2021.

Some 125 people have been arrested for rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking across the country in the past six months. According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment while the national lockdowns curbed the movement of people to halt the spread of Covid-19 in 2020 contributed to a decrease in rhino poaching, however the lifting of the stringent lockdown regulations appears to have seen an increase in rhino poaching in the first six months of 2021.

Monday, 9 August 2021
Smit E 2021. 11 arrested with eight wildlife products.

At Okahandja, three Namibians were arrested on 24 July for illegally hunting a wildebeest. Festus Nyama, Staynley Bwendo and Phoster Manyando were charged for violating the Nature Conservation Ordinance Act. A hunting rifle was also confiscated. The case was not reported last week. In another incident at Kahenge, a Namibian was arrested with two python skins on 26 July. Hamutenya Mutjireni was charged with the illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products. At Rundu, two Namibians were arrested on 27 July for being in possession of a pangolin skin.

Friday, 6 August 2021
2021. Suspected rhino poachers arrested in the Free State.

Two suspected rhino poachers were arrested on a farm in Vierfontein in the Free State on Thursday, provincial police said.

Thursday, 5 August 2021
2021. Wildtierverbrechen bleiben stehts ein Problem.

Am 24. Juli wurden demnach drei Männer in Okahandja verhaftet, da diese mit einem Wildebeest-Kadaver und einer Jagdwaffe in ihrem Besitz gefunden wurden. In Kahenge, in der Kavango-West-Region, wurde am 26. Juli ebenfalls ein Namibier wegen illegalen Besitzes von zwei Python-Häuten verhaftet. Bei einem weiteren Vorfall des 27. Juli in Rundu, wurden zwei Männer, die im Besitz eines Schuppentierpanzers waren, ebenfalls verhaftet.

Wednesday, 4 August 2021
Robinson D 2021. Rhino, elephant poaching continues to decline in Africa.

Rhino and elephant poaching continues to decline in Africa, most likely due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and enhanced protection efforts. This is particularly the case in Namibia, as well as Zimbabwe and Tanzania, bringing hope to a species plagued by intensive poaching over the past few decades.

Monday, 2 August 2021
Routh R 2021. Babi to remain in custody, bail appeal dismissed.

Windhoek High Court Judge Herman January on Friday dismissed an appeal against the ruling of magistrate Linus Samunzala to release self-styled prophet Jackson Babi on bail pending his trial. Babi faces charges of possessing or dealing in two rhino horns, hunting a rhinoceros that is protected by law and possessing a hunting rifle and ammunition without a licence. The State claims Babi and Frizans Naululu Dumeni were in possession or dealt in two rhino horns at Babi’s residence in Kleine Kuppe in Windhoek between 26-27 May 2020.

Sunday, 1 August 2021
2021. Nashorn-Wilderei in Südafrika legt wieder zu - 125 Festnahmen.

Voriges Jahr ließ die Nashorn-Wilderei in Südafrika nach - wegen des Corona-Lockdowns. Nun steigt die Zahl der getöteten Rhinozerosse wieder.

Sunday, 1 August 2021
2021. Rhino poaching increases again in South Africa - 125 arrests.

Rhino poaching is increasing again in South Africa. According to Environment Minister Barbara Creecy, a total of 249 rhinos were poached from January to the end of June. "Although the number of rhinos killed for their horns is higher than the 166 in the same period last year, it is less than the 318 poached rhinos in the first six months of 2019," said the Sanparks National Park Authority on Saturday - International Ranger Day - with. The previous year is considered an exceptional year due to one of the world's strictest corona lockdowns in South Africa.

Sunday, 1 August 2021
van Zyl C 2021. 249 rhino poached in SA since the start of 2021 and it is increasing.

At least 249 rhinos were killed in the first six months of this year in South Africa. The bulk of the killings happened at the Kruger National Park, where 132 rhinos were killed.

Tuesday, 29 September 2020
Zenda C 2020. COVID-19 sees increase in Wildlife Poaching in Southern Africa.

Six months into COVID-19 lockdown and with most southern African nations not having social safety nets for their citizens, there has been an uptick in wildlife poaching across the region.

Sunday, 20 September 2020
Miyanicwe C 2020. Celebrate World Rhino Day with talent.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, World Rhino Day will be marked with a talent show virtual event this year. "Even though Covid-19 is keeping us from our usual celebrations, this year we hope we can get as many people as possible from here in Namibia and around the world to show their pride and talent by joining us in a virtual campaign," said Clemens Naomab, regional project coordinator for the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), on Saturday. World Rhino Day is an international event, recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),…

Friday, 18 September 2020
Wunderman A 2020. How the pandemic threatens rhino conservation.

Around the world countries are adjusting to what their "new normal" looks like in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. For rhinoceros conservationists in Africa, it means coping with fewer resources while fighting an increase in the risk of poaching. Illegal hunting is nothing new for the dwindling rhino species, but the pandemic has amplified the threat and left their future more uncertain than ever.

Friday, 18 September 2020
Amakali M 2020. 'Prophet' Babi, co-accused get bail hearing date.

The bail hearing of self-proclaimed preacher Jackson Babi and his co-accused Ananias Ananias is scheduled to take place next week in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court. The two are seeking bail in their second case where they face bribery charges for allegedly offering a N$13 000 bribe to investigation officers. Babi and Ananias made an appearance before magistrate Samunzala Samunzala yesterday where they were informed investigations are not yet finalised in their matter. 

Thursday, 17 September 2020
2020. Bisher 22 Nashörner, zwei Elefanten gewildert.

22 Nashörner und zwei Elefanten wurden in diesem Jahr in Namibia von Wilderern getötet. Das ist weniger als in den beiden Jahren zuvor, teilte Romeo Muyunda, Pressesprecher im Ministerium für Umwelt, Forstwirtschaft und Tourismus, jetzt mit.

22 rhinos and two elephants were killed by poachers in Namibia this year. That is less than in the previous two years, said Romeo Muyunda, press spokesman in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

Thursday, 17 September 2020
Smit E 2020. Namibia - 22 rhinos poached this year, down from 46 last year.

This year a total of 22 rhinos and two elephants have been poached. During the same period last year, poachers killed46 rhinos and 13 elephants.

Wednesday, 16 September 2020
Smit E 2020. New technology to help monitor rhinos.

After a study on black rhinos in Namibia, new software has been developed by researchers in the United States that could help conservationists keep a watchful eye on the black rhino. The interactive software was jointly developed by researchers at Duke University and analytics software specialist SAS and analyses the footprints left behind by black rhinos. This can be used to monitor their movements and enable conservationists to help keep the animals safe from poachers.

Tuesday, 15 September 2020
Steynberg F 2020. 19 vir wildmisdaad aangekla.

Altesaam 19 vermeende wildmisdadigers is verlede week in hegtenis geneem en aangekla.

A total of 19 suspected wildlife criminals were arrested and charged last week.

Tuesday, 15 September 2020
2020. Twenty-two rhinos and two elephants poached so far this year: MEFT.

Twenty-two rhinos and two elephants have been killed by poachers thus far in 2020, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Environment has said.

Tuesday, 15 September 2020
2020. Mpumalanga farmer sentenced for dealing in rhino horns without permit. Lowvelder

A well-known Mpumalanga farmer was sentenced in the Middelburg Regional Court yesterday for selling rhino horns without a permit.

Monday, 14 September 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Renosterstropery: Drie bly in aanhouding.

Drie Namibiese mans wat glo ‘n renoster in die Etosha Nasionale Park wou stroop, bly in aanhouding nadat hulle vandag in die Outjo-landdroshof op vyf klagte verskyn het.

Three Namibian men who allegedly wanted to poach a rhino in the Etosha National Park remain in custody after appearing in the Outjo Magistrate's Court today on five charges.

Monday, 14 September 2020
Terblanché N 2020. Vigilance leads to arrest of a poaching gang.

The vigilance of the farming community around Kamanjab led to the arrest of a gang of poachers that were on their way to hunt rhinos in the Etosha National Park. According to the crime bulletin provided by the Public Relations Division of the Namibian Police, the five suspects were arrested on Farm Marinhohe in the Kamanjab policing area on Thursday evening after members of the community spotted them being dropped off by a suspicious vehicle.

Sunday, 13 September 2020
2020. Police launch manhunt for rhino poachers.

The police in Lulekani have launched a manhunt for the alleged poachers who shot and killed two rhinos on different locations on one of the game farms near Swelane village.

Sunday, 13 September 2020
2020. Drie mans wou glo renoster in Etosha stroop.

Drie verdagtes wat glo ’n renoster in die Etosha Nasionale Park wou stroop, verskyn môre op verskeie klagte in die landdroshof op Kamanjab. Hulle is Donderdag tussen Kamanjab en die plaas Marinhohe in dié distrik vasgetrek.

Three suspects who allegedly wanted to poach a rhino in the Etosha National Park will appear in the Kamanjab Magistrate's Court tomorrow on various charges. They were caught on Thursday between Kamanjab and the farm Marinhohe in the district.

Friday, 11 September 2020
Ledger E 2020. Inside the courtroom battle against the deadly rhino horn trade.

We are working with conservation charity Space for Giants to protect wildlife at risk from poachers due to the conservation funding crisis caused by Covid-19. Help is desperately needed to support wildlife rangers, local communities and law enforcement personnel to prevent wildlife crime.

Thursday, 10 September 2020
2020. Vyf vas oor renosterkarkas en horings.

Drie Namibiese mans is verlede week in verband met renosterstropery en twee oor horingsmokkelary in hegtenis geneem. Volgens die weeklikste wildmisdaadverslag van 31 Augustus tot 6 September van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is altesaam tien vermeende wildmisdadigers in hegtenis geneem en ses nuwe sake aanhangig gemaak.

Wednesday, 9 September 2020
2020. New tracking technology will help fight rhino poaching in Namibia.

Interactive software that 'reads' and analyzes footprints left by black rhinoceroses can be used to monitor the movements of the animals in the wild, giving conservationists a new way to keep watch on the endangered species and help keep it safe from poachers, according to a new study.

Wednesday, 9 September 2020
Smit E 2020. 155 wildlife products seized - At Okahao, a Namibian man was arrested on 31 August for being in possession of 142 pangolin scales.

More than 150 illegal wildlife products were seized last week and 10 suspects were arrested, while six new cases were registered. Five of the suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching or trafficking cases.

Wednesday, 9 September 2020
Steynberg F 2020. Renosterkarkas en -horing gekonfiskeer.

Drie Namibiese mans is verlede week in verband met renosterstropery en twee oor horingsmokkelary in hegtenis geneem.

Three Namibian men were arrested last week in connection with rhino poaching and two for rhino horn smuggling.

Monday, 7 September 2020
2020. Top-fit rhino rangers to run in challenge to raise funds for wildlife protection.

Early in October, four ranger from Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) will show the rest of the world what it takes to be out in the wild, day in day out, tracking rhinos, deterring poachers, and earning an income for them and their families.

Wednesday, 2 September 2020
2020. 2 black rhino killed for horns near Sesfontein.

Two black rhinos - a cow and calf - were shot and killed in the Sesfontein area in Kunene with an unknown firearm. The animals were dehorned with an unknown sharp object. The incident occurred between 24 and 28 August at Otjomumbonde in the Omatendeka conservancy area.

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