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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 - 38 of 38
Tuesday, 30 April 2024
Steynberg F 2024. Artificial intelligence tracking rhinos At Addo Elephant National Park.

Some of the rhinos at Addo Elephant National Park are now collared with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to secure their safety. This is a first-of-its-kind intervention at the Park. Smart algorithms continuously monitor the rhino's behaviour and in the event of an incident, an alert is generated that pinpoints the rhino's location via GPS. This enables the effective, real-time investigation of possible poaching incidents. Behaviours that can be tracked include fighting, mating, giving birth and death.

Friday, 26 April 2024
Kemp C 2024. Rhino poachers' appeal dismissed in Kimberley High Court.

Three Botswana citizens who after they were found guilty, admitted in an appeal application hearing on Wednesday, 24 April, in the High Court in Kimberley that they illegally crossed the border with illegal ammunition to illegally hunt rhinos on a Northern Cape farm. An accomplice of theirs died in a shootout with the farm workers and game rangers. In March, acting judge Cordelia Kgopa found they must have foreseen that someone would die during their raid and found them guilty of the murder of K.J. Matshetse, their accomplice. He died in the crossfire.

Thursday, 25 April 2024
Steynberg F 2024. Rhino exports: Namibia considered a transit route.
Twelve white rhinos of South African origin were exported from Namibia to America in 2022.This is according to the trade database of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).
Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Somerville K 2024. Rising rhino poaching in South Africa.

A staggering 499 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa in 2023, an increase of 51 on the poaching numbers for 2022. This disappointing figure is a chilling reminder that the South African government and wildlife authorities have not got poaching under control. Barbara Creecy, the minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment (DFFE), said when releasing the annual poaching figures that poaching had dropped in Kruger National Park, previously the focal point of rhino crime.

Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Somerville K 2024. Rising rhino poaching in South Africa.

A staggering 499 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa in 2023, an MENU increase of 51 on the poaching numbers for 2022. This disappointing figure is a chilling reminder that the South African government and wildlife authorities have not got poaching under control. Barbara Creecy, the minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment (DFFE), said when releasing the annual poaching figures that poaching had dropped in Kruger National Park, previously the focal point of rhino crime.

Wednesday, 17 April 2024
Angula V 2024. Namibia rhino poaching on rise in first quarter of 2024.

Environmentalists in Namibia have accused local wildlife officials of hiding the real extent of rhino poaching in the Etosha National Park, which holds the highest concentration of black rhinos in the world. The Ministry of Environment recently acknowledged that rhino killings at the park quadrupled during the first quarter of 2024. Namibian police apprehended two suspects Sunday for the killing of an adult female black rhino and a medium-sized male calf black rhino at the park's waterhole earlier that day.

Monday, 15 April 2024
2024. Two suspected rhino poachers arrested, four still on the run.

The Anti-poaching unit of the Environment Ministry, together with other law enforcement agencies, has arrested two suspected poachers and is tracking four others who are suspected to be moving in the area between Omuthiya and Oshivelo in the Oshikoto Region. This follows after two rhino carcasses were discovered in the Etosha National Park recently. Four rhino horns and firearms were confiscated when two suspects, aged 31 and 44, were arrested on Sunday.

Wednesday, 10 April 2024
Smit E 2024. Hundreds behind bars for rhino poaching.

A total of 707 suspects have been arrested in connection with rhino poaching between January 2023 and March of this year. Currently, 589 suspects are in custody awaiting trial, 91 suspects have been convicted, 21 are out on bail, five have been released, two were acquitted, and one suspect has died. Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta provided these statistics during his budget motivation for the 2024-2025 financial year.

Tuesday, 9 April 2024
Steynberg F 2024. Wir verlieren den Kampf.

Private Nashornbesitzer fürchten, dass Namibia den Kampf gegen die Wilderei verliert – während die Regierung nicht genug beisteuert. "Wir kämpfen einen Krieg, den wir nicht gewinnen werden", sagte ein empörter Nashornbesitzer, der seine Breitmaulnashörner an Wilderer verloren hat, gegenüber Namibia Media Holdings (NMH). Zuvor hatte das Umweltministerium schockiert mitgeteilt, dass in den ersten drei Monaten des Jahres 28 Nashörner in Namibia gewildert wurden. "Zwei Drittel meiner Nashornpopulation sind verschwunden!

Thursday, 4 April 2024
Weidlich B 2024. Drahtschlinge bei Nashornkuh entfernt.

Tierärzte haben einem Nashorn eine Drahtschlinge aus dem Bein operiert. Ein schon älteres und ziemlich großes Nashorn auf einer Farm im Süden Namibias mit einer alten und teilweise verheilten Wunde am linken Hinterbein fing wieder an zu humpeln. Tierärzte stellten fest, dass der Dickhäuter seit Jahren eine Drahtschlinge, wie sie Wilderer gebrauchen, in ihrem unteren Bein verwachsen mit sich herumschleppte. Die Nashornkuh war damals wohl den Wilddieben entkommen und die Wunde verheilte, indem sich Gewebe um die Drahtschlinge bildete.

Wednesday, 3 April 2024
Nashama S 2024. Security cluster to meet after 28 rhinos were poached this year.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has recorded 28 cases of rhino poaching in Namibia this year so far. Out of these 28 cases, 19 rhinos were poached in the Etosha National Park, and 10 carcasses of the animals were discovered during dehorning operations in March. The Ministry’s spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, has expressed concern about the poaching situation in the Etosha National Park, which is a flagship tourist attraction in Namibia. The park has a high number of rhinos and other wildlife species.

Wednesday, 3 April 2024
Smit E 2024. Urgent meeting called to discuss steep rise in rhino poaching.
The environment ministry has called for an urgent high-level meeting with security clusters after 28 rhinos were poached in Namibia this year, with 19 of them killed in Etosha National Park.
Tuesday, 2 April 2024
2024. Environment ministry records 28 rhinos poached this year.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has recorded 28 rhinos poached in Namibia from January to date. This was announced yesterday in a media statement by ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda. “It is concerning to note that 19 were poached in Etosha National Park, of which 10 were discovered during dehorning operations throughout the month of March,” he said.

Tuesday, 2 April 2024
Moser K 2024. Enormer Anstieg der Wilderei.
Namibia ist in den letzten Tagen von mehreren Fällen der Nashornwilderei heimgesucht worden. Sowohl im Etoscha-Nationalpark als auch auf privaten Farmen häuften sich in der vergangenen Woche die Funde getöteter Nashörner. Wie das Umweltministerium mitteilte, ist die Zahl gewilderter Nashörner im laufenden Jahr 2024 somit auf 28 gestiegen. "Es ist besorgniserregend, dass 19 Nashörner im Etoscha-Nationalpark gewildert wurden, von denen 10 bei Enthornungsaktionen im März entdeckt wurden", so Romeo Muyunda, Sprecher des Ministeriums.
Tuesday, 2 April 2024
Smit E 2024. 28 renosters reeds vanjaar gestroop.

'n Dringende hoëvlak-vergadering tussen die ministerie van omgewing, bosbou en toerisme en sekuriteitsgroepe is belê nadat 28 renosters in die eerste drie maande van die jaar in Namibië gestroop is. Uit die 28 renosters is 19 in die Etosha Nasionale Park gestroop. Volgens die ministerie se woordvoerder Romeo Muyunda is tien van die 19 gestroopte renosters in die park verlede maand tydens onthoringsoperasies ontdek.

Tuesday, 2 April 2024
2024. Namibie bekommerd oor renosterstropery.
Namibia wil sy stryd teen stropery versterk nadat 28 renosters sedert die begin van die jaar vir hul horings doodgemaak is. Namibia wants to step up its fight against poaching after 28 rhinos were killed for its horns since the beginning of the year.
Tuesday, 2 April 2024
Mavata K 2024. Five men arrested for rhino poaching in Limpopo.

Five suspects in Limpopo have been arrested for rhino poaching and illegal trades if elephant tusks. According to Sowetan Live, Col Malesela Ledwaba, police spokesperson, stated that the men were apprehended by the endangered species unit and wildlife security on Thursday. The five men who four of them are reported to be foreigners and one South African are expected to appear at the Letsitele and Maake magistrates’ court.

Tuesday, 2 April 2024
2024. Surge in rhino poaching incidents continues - 28 rhinos poached to date.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has reported a distressing surge in rhino poaching incidents, with 28 rhinos poached in the country so far this year. Of particular concern is the discovery of 19 poached rhinos within the iconic Etosha National Park, 10 found during dehorning operations throughout March. Ministerial spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda said in a statement. Muyunda said the recent spate of poaching threatens not only the rhino population but also the integrity of this vital tourism attraction.

Tuesday, 2 April 2024
2024. Namibia investigates surge in rhino poaching in Etosha park.

Namibian authorities are investigating a surge in rhino poaching that has seen 28 rhinos poached already this year, two-thirds of them in the Southern African country's flagship Etosha National Park. It was particularly concerning that 19 rhinos were poached in Etosha this year, given the park is a focus for conservation efforts and a major international tourist attraction, the environment ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Monday, 1 April 2024
Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) 2024. Update on the elephant and rhino poaching in namibia.
Update on the elephant and rhino poaching in namibia.
Monday, 28 February 2022
Muonwa J 2022. Poachers kill endangered white rhino.

A carcass of a white rhinoceros shot dead by poachers has been discovered in Bikita, Masvingo province, as wildlife poaching escalates in the country. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson, assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the discovery of the endangered animal's carcass made last Sunday.

Saturday, 26 February 2022
2022. Mozambican rhino poachers in Kruger National Park hit with hefty jail terms.

Two poachers caught with a high-powered rifle and poaching equipment close to the carcasses of two rhinos have each been sentenced to 23 years in jail. The Mozambicans were arrested in the Satara section of the Kruger National Park in May 2019 by rangers.

Friday, 25 February 2022
McCain N 2022. Poachers handed effective 19-year sentence for killing two rhinos.

Two rhino poachers have been sentenced to an effective 19 years' imprisonment for a 2019 poaching incident in the Kruger National Park. The Regional Court in Skukuza in Mpumalanga sentenced Micheal Chauke, 57, and Americo Mathonsi, 59, on Thursday. The men were found to have killed two rhinos on 22 May 2019, said police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli.

Thursday, 24 February 2022
2022. Police tail poaching syndicates.

Poaching syndicates have killed at least two rhinoceros this month and are suspected of moving around the country targeting the animals and cutting off their horns. The rhino is targeted for its horn in the underground, illegal wildlife markets, particularly in Asia, where dubious cultural beliefs drive demand. In the latest killing, police in Bikita discovered on Sunday a carcass of a white rhino buried in a pit in a bushy area with some body parts missing

Thursday, 24 February 2022
Calitz L 2022. Alleged rhino horn possession case goes to Nelspruit Regional Court in June.

Mpumalanga's AB Steyn and Limpopo's Dawie Groenewald appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on February 23 and 24. The pair's previous appearance was on December 10 last year when the case was postponed for the fourth time. Some issues were raised by each of their legal representatives yesterday including that the state was dragging its feet in the case, that the state should be held responsible for the teams' travel costs because of the delays, and that documents were not presented in the way they were supposed to be.

Thursday, 17 February 2022
Masilela B 2022. Woman arrested in Bedfordview with 29 rhino horns worth R6m.

Pretoria - A 48-year-old woman was arrested on Thursday in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, after she was found in possession of 29 rhino horns with an estimated street value of R6 million.

Tuesday, 15 February 2022
Siamilandu O 2022. Zimbabwe join forces with other southern Africa countries in combating wildlife crime.

Zimbabwe has partnered four other states in the Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) in an agreement which will see them joining forces to combat wildlife crime. The four states that will work with Zimbabwe to defend their borders against wildlife threats are Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia.

Thursday, 10 February 2022
2022. Manhunt for rhino poacher.

Police have launched a manhunt for a suspected poacher after a rhino carcass was discovered with a bullet in its forehead in Matobo, Matabeleland South province, on Monday. In a statement on Wednesday, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations are underway. "The ZRP is investigating a case of poaching of protected animals, where a Black Rhino carcass with horns missing was found at Makotama Resettlements, Matobo, on February 7, 2022".

Thursday, 10 February 2022
Jemwa S 2022. Poachers kill black rhino in Matobo.

A black rhino carcass was recently discovered in Makotama Resettlements, Matobo with a bullet in its forehead, in a suspected case of poaching. The carcass, which was discovered on 7 February, was scanned with a GPX 5000 metal detector leading to the recovery of two wildlife sensors and a bullet head on the forehead.

Wednesday, 9 February 2022
Singh O 2022. Former KZN cop gets 10 years for rhino poaching.

A former KwaZulu-Natal cop has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for a 2018 incident in which he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and rhino horns.

Tuesday, 8 February 2022
Nyamukondiwa F 2022. A sad day for rhino conservation in Zim.

The courts never cease to disappoint. Two years ago, the Supreme Court delivered a retrogressive judgment on pangolin conservation. A few days ago, the High Court delivered a bombshell on a rhino-related case. The court acquitted a man who was found in possession of four rhino horns in Harare.

Tuesday, 8 February 2022
Masilela B 2022. WWF responds to South African rhino poaching figures.

Pretoria - The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said transparency and regular communication about the status of rhino and rhino poaching is vital to track the impact of efforts made to conserve rhinos and reduce the impacts of the illegal wildlife trade. WWF was responding to the release of the rhino poaching numbers for 2021 by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) on Tuesday. The DFFE said as many as 451 rhino were poached in South Africa last year - 327 within government reserves and 124 on private property.

Tuesday, 8 February 2022
2022. 451 rhinos were poached in 2021 says the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Durban - The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Minister Barbara Creecy has revealed that a total of 451 rhinos were poached in South Africa last year. Creecy said 327 rhinos were poached within government reserves and 124 were poached on private property.

Friday, 4 February 2022
2022. Zimbabwe records progress against wildlife crimes.

There has been a great improvement in the handling of wildlife crimes in the country's courts of law following an accelerated mentorship drive for prosecutors and magistrates on the subject, a wildlife rights proponent has said.

Wednesday, 2 February 2022
Smith J-M 2022. Skoolhoof en vrou met twee renosterhorings gevang.

Nadat hy sewe maande agter tralies deurgebring het omdat hy met onwettige renosterhorings in sy besit betrap is, is 'n skoolhoof van die Zambezistreek vry op borgtog ná ’n suksesvolle appèlaansoek by die hoërhof in Windhoek.

After spending seven months behind bars for being caught with illegal rhino horns in his possession, a Zambezi school principal is released on bail following a successful appeal to the Windhoek High Court.

Wednesday, 2 February 2022
Head T 2022. Gotcha! Smuggler caught with eleven rhino horns at OR Tambo.

Swift justice has been meted out for this unfortunate smuggler on Wednesday, after he was promptly arrested at OR Tambo for being in possession of no more than eleven separate rhino horn packages.

Wednesday, 2 February 2022
2022. Schulleiter gegen Kaution frei.

Ein Schuldirektor aus der Sambesi-Region ist auf Kaution frei, nachdem er sieben Monate wegen illegalen Besitzes von Nasenhorn hinter Gittern verbracht hatte.

A school principal from the Zambezi region is out on bail after spending seven months behind bars for illegal possession of rhino horn.

Tuesday, 1 February 2022
Munyoro F 2022. Two acquitted after being nabbed with rhino horns pieces.

A South African immigrant and a local man found in possession of four pieces of rhino horns worth US$240 000 without a licence have been acquitted after the High Court found that the prosecution failed to prove its case against them.

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