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Kameras sal Etosha help polisieer. Die land se gewysigde oorkoepelende plan teen wildmisdade wil eenvormige benadering vir doeltreffende afdwing van wette verseker.

Cameras will help police Etosha. The country's amended overarching plan against wildlife crimes seeks to ensure a uniform approach to effective law enforcement.

Vor knapp zehn Tagen gab das Ministerium für Umwelt, Forstwirtschaft und Tourismus (MEFT) bekannt, dass ihre Mitarbeiter im Etoscha-Nationalpark seit Anfang Juni 2022 elf Nashornkadaver entdeckt hätten (AZ berichtete). Nun gab MEFT-Pressesprecher Romeo Muyunda bekannt, dass ihm ein weiterer Fall bekannt sei, wodurch die Zahl der gewilderten Nashörner auf zwölf zu stehen kommt.

Liberian Moazu Kromah - known as "Kampala Man" - led one of the most active wildlife-trafficking syndicates on the African continent before his arrest in the Ugandan capital in February 2017. Just more than five years later, in March 2022, more than 11,000km away from the city in which he based his operation and from which his alias derives, Kromah quietly entered into a plea bargain with the Southern District of New York (SDNY), which is known for tackling high-profile organised crime and corruption cases.

Following the poaching of 11 rhinos in the Etosha National Park in the past month, the Namibian Government stepped up wildlife security and strategic plans to ensure maximum protection of Namibia's iconic species. This includes the immediate deployment of retired Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa to Etosha National Park.

The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) and Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF) recently announced a long-term landmark partnership focused on better comprehending the current state of knowledge about the illegal wildlife trade (IWT), and the economics of IWT in southern Africa.

New strategy aimed at defining common approaches for the protection and conservation of wildlife and to ensure the effective enforcement of laws governing wildlife resources in Namibia.

Die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme het verskeie veiligheidsaanpassings in die Etosha Nasionale Park gemaak sedert die karkasse van 11 gestroopte swartrenosters gevind is. Een van die stappe is die herontplooiing met onmiddellike effek van afgetrede kommissaris Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa, hoof van die wildbeskermingseenheid, na die park. Twee uit 'n groep van vyf verdagtes wat probeer het om renosters in die park te jag, is ook verlede week vasgetrek.

Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta has confirmed suspicions that some of the ministry’s rangers are part of syndicates causing poaching havoc in the Etosha National Park. Yesterday he confirmed that retired Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa, the head of the wildlife protection unit, has been redeployed from Windhoek to Etosha with immediate effect. "There was too much complacency from our staff in Etosha and there were inside jobs," he told Namibian Sun late yesterday.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta has redeployed retired police commander Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa to lead anti-poaching efforts in the Etosha National Park. The national park has been hard-hit by poachers in recent weeks, including the discovery of 11 rhino carcasses.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is investigating some of its workers at Etosha National Park for possibly playing a part in the rhino poaching syndicate which recently left 11 of the mammals dead. Addressing the media yesterday environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said they suspect the "act" was an inside job. All the rhinos killed were also dehorned. He said the ministry is broadening investigations to determine whether its workers were complicit in the matter.

"Wir haben neu organisiert und Änderungen in der AWE vorgenommen", kündigte der Minister gestern auf einer Presskonferenz an. Der Leiter der AWE, Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa ist jetzt in Etoscha und bleibt dort stationiert und wird einige Änderungen vornehmen. „Unsere Leute waren zu selbstzufrieden (complacent). Wir müssen auch annehmen, dass Personal wahrscheinlich Informationen über die Nashörner an die Wilderer weitergegeben haben kann, also ein 'inside job' sagte der Minister.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has confirmed that it has moved to make security adjustments and to close any loopholes in Etosha National Park to ensure that wildlife crimes, poaching incidences, in particular, do not occur again.

Durban - Two suspects are expected to appear in court on Monday after the Hawks arrested them for being in possession of two ‘recently extracted’ rhino horns, while travelling from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng.

Georgina Savage's consummate and comprehensive podcast, The Invisible Hand, grants the listener a front-row seat to this conflict. Born in Johannesburg then moving to Australia at the age of six (picking up the accent you will hear in the podcast’s narration), Savage was drawn back to the country in which she grew up. "The Kruger has always been embedded in my childhood experience; in my sense of home, or at least my home country," she says over the phone.

Two alleged rhino poachers in connection with the 11 rhinos poached in Etosha National park have been apprehended, an official said this week. The ongoing police operation at Etosha National Park led to the arrest of two rhino poachers on Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said, adding that investigations are at an advanced stage.

Ongwediva - A daring raid inside Namibia's most popular and well-protected national parks by poachers left a suspect and a police officer fighting for their lives. The attempt by poachers was foiled by police on Thursday around 04h40 and two suspected poachers were arrested. When the police approached, the would-be poachers opened fire on the security personnel resulting in the officers responding with more fire. A 19-old-year old suspected poacher and a 37-year-old police officer were injured during the exchange of fire.

More than 40% of the 987 suspects arrested in connection with elephant and rhino wildlife crimes over the past five years are currently free on bail. Statistics show that 415 of the close to 1 000 persons arrested on elephant and rhino crime charges were released on bail, while only 142 of those detained since 2017 have been convicted of their crimes to date. Meanwhile, more than 87% of the 987 arrested suspects are Namibians. This is according to statistics shared by deputy commissioner Barry de Klerk, head of the protected resources division and the Blue Rhino Task Team.

Namibia will soon make use of DNA analysis in forensic investigations into animal abuse and crimes such as illegal smuggling, poaching and the illegal trade in protected species. Using DNA analysis will make it possible to identify the species and geographical origin, such as the population of a forensic sample, and to also individualise the sample with high levels of probability. Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga this week announced that the capacitation of the new National Forensic Science Institute of Namibia is at an advanced stage.

Meer as 40% van die 987 verdagtes wat sedert 2017 weens olifant- en renosterwildmisdade in hegtenis geneem is, is op borgtog vrygelaat. Statistieke toon 415 van dié verdagtes is tans op borgtog, terwyl slegs 142 skuldig bevind is. Daarbenewens is meer as 87% Namibiërs. Die hoof van die eenheid vir beskermde hulpbronne en die Blou Renoster-taakspan, adj.komm. Barry de Klerk, het dié statistieke by die Nasionale Belanghebbersforum oor Wildmisdaad en Wetstoepassing gedeel.

Two male suspects were arrested on Thursday in connection with the poaching of 11 rhinos in Etosha National Park. This was confirmed by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda. "They were arrested yesterday and, at this stage, no further information can be given as investigations are still premature," Muyunda said. Earlier this week, the ministry issued a statement saying the carcasses were discovered during ongoing operations in Etosha National Park. The carcasses are suspected to be three weeks and older, according to the report.

Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta says the recent discoveries of 11 dead rhinos are an indication that the country needs to up its game in curbing wildlife crime. This comes after the rhino carcasses were discovered at Etosha National Park, since the beginning of June to date, with their horns removed.

Amidst shocking discoveries of wildlife poaching incidents in the country recently, such as the 11 black rhinos killed in Etosha recently, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta on Wednesday launched the first ever National Stakeholder Forum on Wildlife Protection and Law Enforcement to strengthen the fight against the crimes. Shifeta said Namibia has experienced a massive surge in wildlife crime over the past decade, driven by increased global demand for illegal wildlife products.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) on Tuesday confirmed that with an ongoing operation in Etosha National Park, 11 rhino carcasses from the beginning of June to date have been discovered. MEFT spokesperson Romeo Muyunda in a statement said all the 11 were found without horns and they were black rhinos. "Investigations indicate that the carcasses range between 3 weeks and older. This is regrettable and a strong indication that the fight against poaching is not over," he added.

The Environment and Tourism Ministry says it has discovered 11 rhino carcasses at the Etosha National Park since the beginning of this month. According to the ministry's spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, investigations indicate the carcasses are at least three weeks old. "This is regrettable and a strong indication that the fight against poaching is not over," he said. To date, 22 rhinos have been poached this year.

The huge police operation launched after the discovery of two poached rhinos on the north-western side of the Etosha National Park has led to the gruesome find of another nine rhinos killed. All the animals are critically endangered black rhinos. According to Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, this brings the total number of rhinos poached in six months to 22.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife says the improved and random deployment of field ranges, police officers and K9 units have made life difficult for poachers. Three suspected poachers were arrested last week before they could kill a rhino inside the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park in northern KZN. This brings the number of alleged poachers caught inside the park this year to five.

Four dangerous poachers, who have allegedly been hunting rhinos using a rifle fitted with a telescope and silencer in Livingstone's Mosi-Oa Tunya National Park, have been arrested.

Three people were arrested for alleged poaching inside the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park in the northern KwaZulu-Natal. This was confirmed by the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife on Sunday, which said the trio were arrested before they could kill a rhino. The first man was arrested on June 6 and two others were caught two days later. These arrest bring the number of alleged poachers caught inside the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park this year to five. "The Park has been under siege since the beginning of 2022.

Since the beginning of 2022, more than 100 rhinos have been poached in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province. This staggering toll compares to 102 rhinos poached in the Province during the whole of 2021, and 93 in the whole of 2020. Unless this trend is urgently reversed, 2022 could end with a new KZN poaching record, going beyond the horrific 222 rhino poaching deaths recorded in 2017. The recent increase in poaching in KZN is likely due to several factors. First, there has been a devastating decline in the number of rhinos in the Kruger National Park.

As several stories have revealed across different platforms of late, most pertinently in the long delayed release of the Rhino Report in Daily Maverick of 31 May, poaching in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park has boomed. There is little argument among conservation bodies about the numbers - some 95 rhinos have been poached in the park so far this year. It drew to mind an interview I recorded with former Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, in about 2013 for a multimedia eBook I was producing called, iRhino.

The exploits of three Kenyans charged in a US court with ivory and rhino horn trafficking have brought the war against poaching back to focus. Abubakar Mansur Mohammed Surur, 62, who pleaded guilty to poaching charges in a US court, and his accomplices made Sh864.8 million in seven years from the illegal sale of ivory and rhinoceros horns.

Cape Town - SANParks Honorary Rangers is hard at work to stop rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park and all SANParks areas with assistance and collaboration from Rhino Tears, a wine brand, that donates towards the rangers with every bottle sold.

Smugglers are getting more creative in the way they conceal contraband - such as rhino horn - out of South Africa.

A Kenyan has pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic in rhino horns and elephant ivory in a in Manhattan Federal Court. According to Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, Mansur Mohamed Surur was involved in the illegal poaching of more than approximately 35 rhinoceros and more than 100 elephants.

’n Renoster is tussen Saterdagnag en Sondag by die Chudop-watergat naby Namutoni in die Etosha Nasionale Park gestroop. Volgens die woordvoerder van die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, mnr. Romeo Muyunda, is beide die renoster se horings verwyder. "Dit is die eerste renoster wat vanjaar in die park gestroop is. Die renoster is geskiet en die karkas is Sondag ontdek," het hy gesê. Die Chudop-watergat is sowat vyf kilometer suidwes van Namutoni geleë.

Members of the Hawks Organised Investigation Unit searched a vehicle and found rhino horns that suspects were attempting to sell. "The pair were arrested during a buy and bust operation where they allegedly attempted to sell the horns. The suspects' vehicle was searched and two rhino horns worth approximately R2.4 million were found," Rikhotso said.

Two rhino poachers were sentenced to 19 years imprisonment on Thursday, 24 June, after they were caught with two rhino horns, ammunition, and an axe just outside Kruger National Park around Komatipoort in 2019.

With lockdown restrictions eased since last year, the rhino poaching war has certainly heated up in South Africa. The last seven days have been hectic - a suspected rhino poaching kingpin gunned down just before appearing in court, three suspected poachers arrested in separate incidents (with tourists helping report them), and at least 21 poaching related incidents taking place in the Kruger National Park (KNP) - as well as one successful conviction.

SA National Parks (SANParks) on Friday welcomed the 23-year prison sentence handed to a rhino poacher by the Skukuza regional court prosecuting team. Alsony Alberto Valoyi, an illegal immigrant from Mozambique, pleaded guilty to six charges related to rhino poaching after being arrested inside the Kruger National Park (KNP) in November 2016.

An attempt by the defence of self-proclaimed prophet and founder of the House of Joy Ministries Jackson Babi to have his case provisionally withdrawn, fell flat when the court denied the request. Babi's lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji requested that his client's case be provisionally withdrawn and consequently have Babi released from custody while the State waits for the prosecutor general to pronounce herself in the matter. "The State has failed to inform the court that they failed twice to provide the decision. Now, two months later, the decision is still not available," said Siyomunji…

Nashornwilderei ist in Afrika wieder zu einem großen Problem geworden. Angesichts steigender Fallzahlen und wachsender Sorgen haben Wissenschaftler in einem Pilotprojekt nun einen neuen Ansatz gewählt: Ein mit Radioaktivität versehenes Horn ist ein zu großes Risiko für Wilderer.

Rhino poaching has become a major problem again in Africa. In view of the increasing number of cases and growing concerns, scientists have now chosen a new approach in a pilot project: a horn provided with radioactivity is too great a risk for poachers.

The latest wildlife crime statistics indicate that four rhinos and one elephant have been poached to date, as law enforcement operations continue to bag perpetrators, an official said this week. From the beginning of June, law enforcement agencies have made significant arrests of wildlife criminals involving products of high valued species across the country, the Ministry of Environment spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda said in an update.

Kenya's Wildlife Service says that for the first time in 21 years, not a single rhinoceros was poached in the country's national parks in 2020. To maintain the progress, it is conducting the first ever wildlife census and placing mobile container housing in parks for rangers.

Four men, including a police officer and a soldier, are due to appear in the Ohangwena Magistrate’s Court this morning after they were arrested for being in possession of eight rhino horns.

Among the items seized from the suspects are four elephant tusks, two rhino horns, one live pangolin, a giraffe skin and a pangolin skin.

The search for the missing rhino calf at the Ghaub Nature Reserve ended sadly when the baby's carcass was discovered in the bush. The Director One Namibia, the Ghaub Nature Reserve, and Farm Ghaub, Joachim Rust said their hope to find the calf of Zanna, a rhino cow that was killed by poachers on the farm about three weeks ago, alive never wavered.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced further arrests of suspected poachers in the Kruger National Park (KNP), with four men apprehended. The four suspected poachers were arrested on Sunday 30 May in the Pretoriuskop Section and on Monday 31 May in the Houtboschrand Section of the park. On 30 May, rangers (with K9 support) responded to a visual of two poachers and made a follow up in pursuit of the suspected rhino poachers. The Airwing Unit was called in to support the ground teams; and soon thereafter two suspects were arrested without incident.

A Namibian Defense Force (NDF) member and a police officer currently stationed at the Etosha national park were arrested last night after they were found in the possession of rhino horns in Oshikango. Speaking to Informanté, Ohangwena Regional Crime Coordinator Sakaria Amakali said that the two suspected poachers were arrested in a sting operation following a tip off. The value of the horns is not yet known. "The two suspects will only be charged today and appear in the Ohangwena court tomorrow," Amakali stated.

SANParks announced today (5 June 2021) that well executed operations at the end of May led to the arrest of four suspected poachers. The first incident was last weekend, on Sunday 30 May in the Pretoriuskop Section, and the other on Monday in the Houtboschrand Section, both located in the South of the Kruger National Park (KNP). SANParks said that rangers (with K9 support) responded last Sunday to a visual of two suspected rhino poachers and went in pursuit of them.

Durban - Rhino horns worth in excess of R230 million intercepted at the OR Tambo International Airport between July last year and February this year were being kept at a secure location, said Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Barbara Creecy. She was responding to written parliamentary questions submitted by the DA’s David Bryant. He had asked about the whereabouts of the rhino horns and whether they had been destroyed.