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.
Explore your search results using the filter checkboxes, or amend your search or start a new search.
At least five elephants were shot and stripped of their tusks in early April 2023 in southern Chad. Shocked by this wildlife crime, the organisation SOS Elephants of Chad is calling on the government to act firmly against the resurgence of poaching of Chad’s endangered elephants.
Vietnam has seized 11.8 kilograms of rhino horns and 4.7 kilograms of elephant ivory in checked-in luggage on a flight from Qatar, Vietnam News Agency reported on Thursday. Customs officers at Noi Bai international airport in Vietnam’s capital of Hanoi found the smuggled rhino horns and ivory in 41 packages wrapped in aluminum foil in two sets of luggage of a Vietnamese man who had traveled from Angola, transited through Doha, Qatar, and arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday. The seizure came after a random check, and the luggage owner claimed that a person had paid him 50…
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VIETNAM_2023_04_Vietnam seizes 16 kg of smuggled rhino horns_ivory_Journal of African Elephants.pdf | 193.09 KB |
The functional forces have just discovered a package containing 11.82 kg of rhino horn and 4,712 kg of smuggled ivory transported on a flight from Doha (Quatar) to Vietnam. When scanning the above 02 pieces of luggage through a portable scanner, the Import Baggage Procedure Team discovered suspicious images of rhino horns and ivory, so they invited Ninh Ba Dien passenger to the headquarters. for fact check. According to the inspection results, in addition to his carry-on luggage, Mr.
A 40-year-old man has been arrested in possession of a leopard skull and skin, the National Criminal Investigation Service of Mozambique (Sernic) has announced. "The man was caught red-handed on April 22," Sernic spokesman Alfeu Sitoe said at a press conference in the city of Beira. The suspect claimed to have received the product from a friend, now a fugitive, who intended to sell it to a foreigner in Beira’s Alto da Manga neighbourhood for 60,000 meticais (€856).
Five rhino horns, one hunting rifle with a silencer, fourteen live rounds, two knives and five mobile phones were recovered from the car. The Skukuza Regional Court on Tuesday sentenced rhino poachers to 34 and 39 years in prison following following their arrest in November 2019. According to Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, two of the three suspects who were arrested for rhino poaching and other related crimes were sentenced to 34 years' imprisonment. The third suspect was sentenced to 39 years' imprisonment.
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SA_2023_04_Rhino poachers sentenced to 34 years in prison_The Citizen.pdf | 330.72 KB |
Zwelithini Mathebula 37, and Lucky Mhlongo 39, were sentenced to 34 years' imprisonment while their co-accused Teddy Dlamini 37, was sentenced to 39 years' imprisonment. NPA regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, said that the three culprits were arrested in November 2019, along with their two co-accused who absconded after they were granted bail. The three were convicted of killing three rhinos, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of ammunition, and possession of a dangerous weapon.
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SA_2023_04_Trio of rhino KNP poachers handed prison terms totalling over 100 years_IOL 2023.pdf | 295.28 KB |
Cape Town - Swift response by the Hawks National Intervention Unit (NIU) following a tip-off has led to the arrest of six suspects in connection with the discovery of abalone worth more than R2.8 million. The suspects, aged between 26 and 60, were expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate's court on Tuesday morning facing charges relating to possession of abalone and managing a drying facility.
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SA_2023_04_Hawks smell something fishy_6 held in abalone bust_IOL_2023.pdf | 156.25 KB |
During a time in which South Africa's wildlife is under attack by poaching, a new study has shown that popular anti-poaching technologies could be an easy target for cyber-attacks. Stellenbosch University student Christelle Steyn, who is part of the Orange Cyberdefence Academy, conducted research that shows that various technologies, such as tracking tags, CCTV, mobile apps and drones could increase the risks of cyber-attacks.
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SA_2023_04_Weak spots in anti_poaching technology an easy target for hackers_Kempton Epress.pdf | 259.58 KB |
In 2022 Kruger lost 124 rhinos, a figure David Bryant, shadow forestry, fisheries and environment minister, believes will rise because SANParks filled just five of 87 vacant ranger posts in the Kruger Park.
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SA_2023_04_Shortage of rangers at Kruger Park endangers rhinos_The Citizen.pdf | 403.34 KB |
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Halting the illegal succulent plant trade.pdf | 753.24 KB |
The Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport, Angola's capital city Luanda, has recently been the gateway for many disguised tourists, with the clear intention of illicit trafficking of ivory and rhino horn. In the last three months alone, the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC), coordinating with other forces in the airport's security system, detained two Vietnamese citizens in possession of 26 kilograms of ivory worked into jewellery; four kilograms of raw ivory; rhino horns, weighing 6.6 kilograms; and five rolls of elephant tail yarn, weighing eight grams.
A 38-year-old citizen is currently detained in the city of Beira, Sofala province, accused of killing and possession of prohibited species. At the time of his arrest, the suspect had four lion teeth and 14 lion claws in his possession.
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MOZ_2023_04_Man arrested in possession of lions teeth and claws_Club of Mozambique.pdf | 92 KB |
Maputo - The authorities have detained for the second time a notorious Mozambican poacher, Simon Ernesto Valoi, known in the world of crime as "Boss Navarra". Valoi has been held in a Mozambican prison since July 2022. According to a report in the Maputo daily "Noticias', Valoi refused to name his accomplices, who remain at large. Investigators set a trap for Valoi. Pretending to be corrupt, they provided him with a mobile phone through which he could contact his relatives and other members of the poaching ring.
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MOZ_2023_04_ Poaching ringleader detained for second time_allAfrica_com.pdf | 61.32 KB |
Mindestens acht Verdächtige wurden über das Osterwochenende bei zwei verschiedenen Vorfällen im Zusammenhang mit der Wilderei von Nashörnern festgenommen. Nach Angaben des Sprechers des Umweltministeriums, Romeo Muyunda, wurden zwei Verdächtige am 6. April auf der Straße zwischen Tsumeb und Otavi an einer mobilen Straßensperre festgenommen, weil sie illegal in den Etosha-Nationalpark eingedrungen waren, um Nashörner zu jagen. In ihrem Besitz wurden zwei frische Nashornhörner gefunden, die von den Strafverfolgungsbehörden unter der Leitung des Blue Rhino Task Team beschlagnahmt…
Eight suspects were netted over the long easter weekend for crime related to rhino poaching in two separate incidences, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism announced on Thursday.
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NAM_2023_04_ Eight suspects recently busted for crimes related to rhino poaching_Namibia Economist.pdf | 265.68 KB |
The Ministry of Environment Tourism and Forestry has arrested eight suspects on charges related to rhino poaching over the Easter long weekend, in two separate incidents. "Last week two suspects that illegally entered the Etosha National Park to hunt Rhinos were arrested during a mobile roadblock on the Tsumeb and Otavi road, two fresh rhino horns were found in their possession and confiscated by Blue Rhino Task Team," the environment Ministry's Chief Public Relations Officer, Romeo Muyunda said in a statement.
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NAM_2023_04_Eight suspected rhino poachers arrested_Windhoek Oberserver.pdf | 217.96 KB |
At least eight suspects were arrested over the Easter Weekend for rhino poaching-related crimes in two separate incidents. According to the spokesperson of the environment ministry Romeo Muyunda, two suspects were arrested on 6 April on the Tsumeb/Otavi road at a mobile roadblock for illegally entering the Etosha National Park to hunt rhinos. Two fresh rhino horns were found in their possession and confiscated by the law enforcement agencies led by the Blue Rhino Task Team.
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NAM_2023_04_Eight arrested for rhino poaching over easter_Namibian Sun.pdf | 391.33 KB |
Agt verdagtes is oor die Paasnaweek vir renosterstropery-verwante misdade in twee afsonderlike voorvalle in hegtenis geneem. Volgens die woordvoerder van die omgewingsministerie Romeo Muyunda, is twee verdagtes op 6 April op die Tsumeb/Otavi-pad by 'n mobiele padblokkade in hegtenis geneem omdat hulle onwettig die Etosha Nasionale Park binnegegaan het om renosters te jag. Twee vars renosterhorings is in hul besit gevind en deur die wetstoepassingsagentskappe onder leiding van die Blue Rhino-taakspan op beslag gelê.
Die Strafverfolgungsbehörden in Namibia, Mosambik und Sambia werden immer aufmerksamer, wenn es um den illegalen Schmuggel von u. a. Abalonen (Meeresschnecken) durch ihre Länder geht. Denn es mehren sich die Hinweise, dass dieselben Unternehmen und Personen, die in diesen Schmuggel verwickelt sind, auch an der Ausfuhr anderer illegaler Wildprodukte und weiteren illegalen Aktivitäten beteiligt sind. Demnach scheinen verschiedene Formen der Kriminalität mit dem illegalen Handel von Wildtieren zusammenzuhängen.
The discovery of three rhino carcasses has led to the arrest of eight suspects, of which three were identified as anti-poaching security personnel on a private farm in the Outjo District. According to Romeo Muyunda, Public Relations Officer, within the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, on 7 April 2023, two suspects were arrested after they were found in possession of one pair of rhino horns in yet another operation by security forces on the Outjo-Otavi Road.
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NAM_2023_04_Three Anti_Poaching Officers arrested for Poaching over Easter_Informante.pdf | 61.64 KB |
Botswana's wildlife authorities say four rhinoceroses were shot, and two of them died, in a heavily guarded sanctuary, although their horns were not removed. The shootings at the sanctuary in central Botswana came after the government de-horned and relocated most of the rhinos further inland to discourage poachers.
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BOT_2023_04_Botswana on alert after shooting of rhinos in sanctuary_VOA News.pdf | 272.64 KB |
Four individuals involved in the illegal trafficking of four ivory tips were arrested on April 5 and 6, 2023 in Makokou, a town in northeastern Gabon. The elephant population in Gabon remains threatened despite regular ivory seizures by Water and Forestry agents. This observation has led civil society to explore actions upstream of the ivory trade process. In Gabon, efforts to fight crime related to protected wildlife species have just resulted in new arrests.
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GAB_2023_04_Four suspected ivory traffickers arrested in Makokou_Journal of African Elephants.pdf | 230.77 KB |
Cape Town - A 34-year-old man, who escaped from the Makhanda Correctional Facility in October 2022, appeared in court on new charges. "The suspect was found in possession of hunting implements, and was detained for contravening the National Environmental Management and Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 Sec 57 (attempted hunting of a threatened or protected species without a permit).
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SA_2023_04_Prison escapee rearrested at private game reserve is back in court_IOL.pdf | 142 KB |
Die Polizei in Omusati hat einen 28-jährigen Mann verhaftet, der versuchte, Schuppentierschuppen an einen verdeckten Ermittler in Outapi zu verkaufen. Dem Verdächtigen wird vorgeworfen, im Besitz von und Handel mit kontrollierten Wildtierprodukten ohne Genehmigung einer zuständigen Behörde zu sein.
Police in Omusati have arrested a 28-year-old man who tried to sell pangolin scales to an undercover agent in Outapi. The suspect is accused of possessing and trading in controlled wildlife products without authorization from an appropriate authority.
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NAM_2023_04_Im Besitz von Schuppentierschuppen_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 226.41 KB |
NAM_2023_04_In posession of pangolin scales_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 208.46 KB |
Wetstoepassers in Namibië, asook in Mosambiek en Zambië begin al hoe meer let op die onwettige smokkelary van onder meer perlemoen deur hul lande. Dit omdat daar groeiende bewyse is dat dieselfde maatskappye en individue wat betrokke is in dié smokkelary, ook betrokke is in die uitvoer van onwettige wildprodukte en ander onwettige bedrywighede. Inteendeel, groeiende bewyse dui op 'n samevloeiing van ander vorme van misdaad met onwettige handel in wildprodukte.
Two carcasses of rhinos were found in the Etosha National Park last Monday and Wednesday.
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NAM_2023_04_Two rhinos poached at Etosha_The Namibian.pdf | 109.75 KB |
Poachers have killed at least five elephants in the Sahel state of Chad, stoking fears for the country's surviving animals, an NGO said Tuesday. The elephants were found slaughtered in the Beinamar area, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of the capital N'Djamena, Adam Ahmat Assane, secretary of SOS Elephants, told AFP.
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CHA_2023_04_Poachers kill five elephants in Chad_phys_org.pdf | 172.97 KB |
Police have confirmed the arrest of one of the five convicted rhino poachers who escaped from prison in Makhanda in October last year. "We can confirm the arrest and that he was involved in attempted poaching at one of the private game reserves," South African Police Service spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli told talk of the Town. Seven men escaped from Grahamstown Correctional Facility in October 2022. One of them, convicted poacher Trymore Chauke was arrested at Seven Fountains around 7pm on Sunday 23 October.
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SA_2023_04_Convicted rhino poacher arrested at private game reserve_Dispatch Live.pdf | 289.7 KB |
There is a R100 000 reward that is up for grabs for information leading to the poachers of two rhinos at Sibuya Game Reserve. Their carcasses were only found on Thursday. At least 14 other rhinos have been killed in the Eastern Cape since December, leading to suspicion that a single syndicate may be responsible for the attacks. The reward has been posted by the Buffalo Kloof Game Reserve, in nearby Makhanda, whose owner, Warne Rippon, said he hoped it would help bring the perpetrators to justice.
A 43-year-old suspect is due to appear in the Omaruru Magistrate’s Court next week, after he
was arrested on Thursday for illegally hunting kudus.
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NAM_2023_04_Suspect to appear in Omaruru court over kudu poaching_The Namibian.pdf | 152.73 KB |
'An incredible story of courage and survival that has now been obliterated' is how wildlife veterinarian Dr William Fowlds has described the killing this week of two orphaned survivors of a 2016 rhino poaching incident at Sibuya Game Reserve. In a bitter blow to the rhino conservation community, two rhinos who mothers were killed by poachers seven years ago were themselves killed by poachers on Tuesday April 4.
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SA_2023_04_Bitter twist to new double Sibuya rhino killings_Dispatch Live.pdf | 300.31 KB |
As the world returns to post-covid normality, so do its trade routes and the unfortunate consequence of increased wildlife trafficking, experts say.
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WORLD_2023_04_Wildlife trafficking could return to pre_pandemic numbers_Getaway.pdf | 449.22 KB |
Shuihau Chen. The Chinese national was caught dealing in rhino horn. He has been fined half a million rand and sentenced to two years imprisonment for infringing the Immigration Act Johannesburg - Fifty-year-old Chinese national Shuihau Chen, who was caught dealing in rhino horn, has been fined half a million rand and sentenced to two years imprisonment for infringing the Immigration Act.
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SA_2023_04_Rhino Horn_Chinese National Shuihau Chen Fined R500K_Jailed 2 Years_The Bulrushes.pdf | 215.01 KB |
Bulk shipments by sea accounted for most of the illegal wildlife parts seized by authorities around the world in 2022. The data, from U.S.-based nonprofit C4ADS, also show that seizures of elephant ivory, rhino horn and pangolin scales haven’t yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, the decline isn’t uniform across all countries, with China's late reopening from the pandemic this year indicating there might be an increase in trafficking in 2023, especially of ivory. C4ADS has called on law enforcement officials to focus on investigating…
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WORLD_2023_03_Wildlife trafficking gradually returns after pandemic lull_mostly by sea_Mongaby.pdf | 868.66 KB |
Police have arrested two Hwange men for unlawful possession of ivory. In a statement on twitter police wrote: "On 30/03/23, Police in Hwange acted on a tip-off and arrested Cephas Charumbira (40) and Dickson Munkombwa (45) for a case of unlawful possession of raw unmarked ivory without a permit. Detectives recovered four pieces of elephantivory measuring approximately 2x75cm, 1x15cm, and 1x10cm from the suspects."
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ZIM_2023_03_Two arrested for ivory possession_The Chronicle.pdf | 239.47 KB |
I am part of the public voice bidding that the three Chinese men found with 14 rhino horn in their bags – at Hosea Kutako airport (well done, Security!) – must remain in prison without bail. Thus far, I feel and believe that the judge has made the right decision in keeping them there.
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NAM_2014-05_Dont Hand our Legacy to Chinese_The Namibian.pdf | 296.47 KB |
The three Chinese men charged with trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of Namibia at the end of March had their hopes of being released on bail dashed yesterday.
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NAM_2014-05_No bail in rhino horn smuggling case_The Namibian.pdf | 634.14 KB |
Poachers have struck again in the Kunene region where the carcasses of two black rhinos were found in the Palmwag concession early this week.
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NAM_2014-05_Two more black rhinos killed_The Namibian.pdf | 223.45 KB |
The three Chinese nationals accused of trying to smuggle rhino horns worth more than N$2 million out of Namibia have been denied bail. They were remanded in custody and their case was postponed until August 6 for further investigation. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on charges of the possession and export of controlled wildlife products.
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NAM_2014-05_No bail for Chinese smuggling suspects_Namibian Sun.pdf | 84.29 KB |
Zoo Park was fittingly the venue for Namibia's first anti-rhino poaching protest, bringing together more than 60 demonstrators fighting the cause of the threatened species yesterday.
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NAM_2014-05_Namibians protest against rhino poaching_The Namibian.pdf | 973.59 KB |
Two more rhinos have been killed in the Kunene Region, bringing to five the number of rhinos poached in Namibia so far this year. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has described the spate of poaching in the country as barbaric and says the country is ready to confront anybody caught poaching and that they will face the full wrath of the law. This comes while a group of about 60 people yesterday gathered at the Zoo Park in Windhoek to protest against bail being granted to three Chinese men who were caught in March this year with 14 rhino horns in their luggage.
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NAM_2014-05_Two more rhinos poached at Palmwag-Namibian Sun.pdf | 114.1 KB |
DNA tests done in South Africa indicate that the rhino horns allegedly discovered in the luggage of three Chinese men at Hosea Kutako International Airport at the end of March were of Namibian origin.
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NAM_2014-05_DNA links rhino horns to Namibia_The Namibian.pdf | 704.14 KB |
The head of the Namibia Protective Resource Unit says there is evidence that the three Chinese men arrested for trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of the country are part of a much larger international syndicate. Detective Chief Inspector Barry de Klerk also testified last Friday during the bail hearing of the three accused that a Chinese investigator will arrive in Namibia within the next few weeks to assist with investigations.
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NAM_2014-05_Rhino horn smuggling syndicate targets Namibia_Namibian Sun.pdf | 106.39 KB |
One of the Chinese men accused of trying to smuggle two suitcases containing rhino horns out of Namibia near the end of March told a magistrate yesterday that four of his front teeth were knocked out when he was assaulted by detainees in police custody.
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NAM_2014-05_Alleged rhino horn smuggler reports cell assault_The Namibian.pdf | 941.6 KB |
A total of 11 rhinos have been killed by poachers in the past six years with eight animals poached in the past two years, a further two in 2021 and one in 2011 and 28 horns recovered during that period, a workshop on wildlife that was held in Windhoek was told.
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NAM_2014-05_Government and experts meet to tackle poaching_The Namibian.pdf | 319.37 KB |
The 14 rhino horns, valued at N$2.3 million and which were confiscated from three Chinese nationals recently, were poached in Namibia. This was confirmed at the bail hearing Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin last week, when they appeared on charges of possessing and attempting to export controlled wildlife products. They were allegedly caught with the rhino horns, as well as a leopard skin valued at N$50 000, in their luggage on 23 March at Hosea Kutako International Airport.
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NAM_2014-05_Chinese rhino horn suspects in bail bid_Namibian Sun.pdf | 75.28 KB |