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.
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The number of endangered rhinos poached in Namibia last year was the highest on record and almost twice as many as the year before, officials say. A total of 87 rhinos were killed compared with 45 in 2021, official government data show. Most were poached in Etosha, Namibia's biggest national park, officials say. Rhino numbers in Africa have dropped significantly in recent decades to feed demand for rhino horn in China and Vietnam.
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NAM_2023_07_Namibia reports record level of rhino poaching_Al Jazeera.pdf | 215.55 KB |
It was successful day for multi-task team of detectives from the Endangered Species Unit, SANParks, Focused Conservation Solutions, Hoedspruit SAPS, and Hoedspruit Farm Watch when they made a breakthrough arresting five suspects for rhino poaching.
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SA_2023_07_Five alleged rhino poachers arrested in the Kruger Park_Letaba Herald.pdf | 426.58 KB |
The Hawks have arrested a second suspect allegedly linked to the stockpile hit at the North West Parks Board headquarters in Mafikeng last week. According to a Daily Maverick source, the suspect was apprehended in a planned operation near Brits at about 9pm on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning the arrest was confirmed by a senior SAPS officer who did not want to be identified.
A poacher from Mozambique has been convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison for killing two rhinos in the Kruger National Park.
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SA_2023_07_Poacher sentenced to 22 years in prison for killing two rhinos_TimesLive.pdf | 223.52 KB |
South Africa's national parks have put in place various measures to combat rhino poaching which threatens the existence of the endangered animal. Isaac Phaahla, media specialist for South African National Parks, a leading conservation authority in the country, said they have been constantly revising their strategies to fight poachers, who keep changing their tactics.
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SA_2023_07_S Africa takes aerial route to fight rhino poaching_Chinadaily.pdf | 257.28 KB |
The Hawks have arrested a man in connection with the theft of 51 rhino horns. The horns were stolen from a stockpile in the North West. The man is expected to appear in court on Monday to face a charge of business robbery.
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SA_2023_07_Hawks make arrest after theft of 50 rhino horns from North West stockpile_News24.pdf | 271.19 KB |
Durban - The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) arrested a 35-year-old man for dealing in a protected species without a permit. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said that on Thursday Hawks members from Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime Investigation arrested Sifiso Magagula for dealing in African pangolin without a permit.
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SA_2023_07_Hawks arrest foreign national for dealing in pangolin scales in Durban_IOL.pdf | 303.22 KB |
Kenya will enhance partnerships with neighboring countries and regional blocs in a bid to protect abundant natural resources like wildlife from the clutches of organized crime, an official has said.
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KEN_2023_-07_Kenya vows to combat illegal trade in iconic species via enhanced partnership_NewsGhana.pdf | 528.08 KB |
Fifty rhino horns stolen from a stockpile in the North West will likely leave South Africa as beads, mugs, or souvenirs, experts have said. The stockpile was stolen in the early hours of Monday morning from the North West Parks and Tourism Board in Mahikeng. Reports suggest the robbers evaded security measures, alarms, security cameras and bypassed the locking mechanism of the vault. Experts have speculated that the rhino horns may already be on their way to Asian markets, based on insights into how wildlife crime syndicates operate.
A reward of N$30 000 is being offered for information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of the people responsible for the poaching of a rhinoceros in Namibia's premier wildlife sanctuary, the Etosha National Park, about a week ago.
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NAM_2014-10_Reward for info on Etosha rhino poaching_The Namibian.pdf | 724.33 KB |
A black rhino has been killed and dehorned in the Etosha National Park, the first confirmed poaching incident in a national park this year. Minister of Environment and Tourism, Uahekua Herunga, yesterday confirmed that the carcass was found with 10 gunshot wounds and that the horn was removed. He said the ministry was alerted on Tuesday and currently there is not much information, as investigations are still ongoing at the scene. The rhino carcass was discovered in the southwest part of Etosha on Tuesday with its horn hacked off.
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NAM_2014-10_First black rhino poached in Etosha this year_Namibian Sun.pdf | 97.01 KB |
A Windhoek magistrate yesterday warned the prosecution not to paint a picture of laxity in the country's courtrooms and to expedite matters in courts. Magistrate Johannes Shuuveni was speaking at the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in Katutura when the State asked for another postponement in the case of three Chinese men accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns worth more than N$2 million out of Namibia.
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NAM_2014-10_No slackness in Namibian courts says magistrate_Namibian Sun.pdf | 79.9 KB |
The Land of the Brave has been named the second best destination to visit in the world in 2015 by the prominent global travel company, Lonely Planet. Singapore was announced the world's number one country to travel to next year. Lonely Planet made specific mention that Namibia is celebrating 25 years of independence next year and the country has made groundbreaking progress in sustainable development. According to the travel company, Namibia was the first African country to include protection of its environment in its constitution. Namibia empowers local communities to contribute…
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NAM_2014-10_Namibia is worlds second best destinatio_Namibian Sun.pdf | 75.17 KB |
Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Environment and Tourism's proposal to de-horn rhinos in Namibia.
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NAM_2014-10_Nam de_horns rhinos in battle against poachers_The Namibian.pdf | 756.98 KB |
The three Chinese men accused of trying to smuggle two suitcases with rhino horns out of Namibia in March pleaded not guilty to all charges against them during their latest court appearance yesterday.
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NAM_2014-10_Chinese trio denies rhino horn charges_The Namibian.pdf | 838.56 KB |
The three Chinese nationals who stand accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of Namibia have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case has in the meantime been referred to the office of the Prosecutor-General for a decision. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing and Pu Xuexin appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in Katutura yesterday on charges of possession and export of controlled wildlife products.
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NAM_2014-10_Chinese rhino suspects plead not guilty_Namibian Sun.pdf | 73.36 KB |