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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 51 - 67 of 67
Wednesday, 5 July 2023
2023. Namibia reports record level of rhino poaching.

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.

Wednesday, 5 July 2023
Mojela A 2023. Five alleged rhino poachers arrested in the Kruger Park.

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.

Wednesday, 5 July 2023
Bloch S 2023. Hawks close in on North West rhino horn burglars - second heist suspect arrested.

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.

Tuesday, 4 July 2023
Luvhengo P 2023. Poacher sentenced to 22 years in prison for killing two rhinos.

A poacher from Mozambique has been convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison for killing two rhinos in the Kruger National Park.

Tuesday, 4 July 2023
Mlilo N 2023. S. Africa takes aerial route to fight rhino poaching.

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.

Monday, 3 July 2023
McCain N 2023. Hawks make arrest after theft of 50 rhino horns from North West stockpile.

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.

Sunday, 2 July 2023
2023. Hawks arrest foreign national for dealing in pangolin scales in Durban.

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.

Saturday, 1 July 2023
2023. Kenya vows to combat illegal trade in iconic species via enhanced partnership.

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.

Saturday, 1 July 2023
McCain N 2023. How do you get 50 stolen rhino horns out of SA? Coffee or corruption, say experts, or maybe as mugs.

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.

Friday, 31 March 2017
Shapwanale N 2017. Four arrested over Zambezi poaching.

The police this week arrested two Zambians and two Namibians in the Zambezi region after they were found with elephant tusks and rhino horns.

Wednesday, 29 March 2017
2017. Rhino horns disguised as coffee.

A poaching syndicate operating in Namibia is apparently posting rhino horns to China in parcels purportedly containing coffee. Twelve pieces of rhino horn mailed from Namibia were seized by Hong Kong customs officers last week. The horns, weighing 6.6kg, were found in two express airmail parcels at Hong Kong International Airport on 22 March. The shipping labels stated that the parcels contained coffee, a press release issued by the Hong Kong government stated. "Suspicious images were found under X-ray inspection.

Wednesday, 29 March 2017
Smit E 2017. Poachers hit Indongo's farm again.

he number of rhinos killed by poachers this year has risen to five after two more carcasses were found on the farm Okanenampanti belonging to businessman Frans Indongo. Environment ministry spokesman Romeo Muyunda yesterday confirmed these figures to Namibian Sun and said two rhino carcasses were found on Okanenampanti on 17 March. In January, a white rhino carcass without horns was discovered at the farm near Otjiwarongo, which is the location of the Frans Indongo Lodge. One of the carcasses discovered this month was still fresh while the other carcass was old, said Muyunda…

Tuesday, 28 March 2017
Tjihenuna T 2017. Suspected Nam rhino horns seized in China.

A man suspected of having travelled from Namibia was arrested at the Hong Kong International Airport on Friday in connection with 12 rhino horns found in express air parcels.

Monday, 27 March 2017
Smith J-M 2017. Lawyers dispute evidence in rhino case: ‘Not    a clear-cut case of possession’.

The lawyers of two Chinese nationals arrested for possession of rhino horns in January say their clients should be granted bail because the case against them is deeply flawed and would likely not lead to a conviction.

Monday, 27 March 2017
Smit E 2017. Rhino carcass found at Grootberg.

The carcass of another black rhino has been found in the Kunene Region, making it the third rhino poaching incident in Namibia this year. According to the spokesperson of the Namibian Police, Edwin Kanguatjivi, the carcass of a black rhino calf was discovered on 15 March at Kliprivier in the Grootberg area. "The horns of the rhino were hacked off with a sharp unknown object," said Kanguatjivi.

Thursday, 2 March 2017
2017. Ministry dedicated to protecting rhinos, elephants.

Tomorrow is the United Nations world wildlife day and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has dedicated it to the protection of rhinos and elephants whose survival is threatened by poachers.

Wednesday, 1 March 2017
Smith J-M 2017. Kandjii on cross-country court spree.

Rhino-poaching accused Gerson Kandjii and his five co-accused did not enter a plea before the Okahao Magistrate’s Court on Monday after their lawyer failed to make an appearance. Kandjii, 51, along with David Stephanus, 35, Karunga Martin, Hinu Lucky, Daniel Nghidinwa and Kakuva Tjeparu were arrested in November 2014 and charged with poaching four critically endangered black rhinos in Etosha National Park.

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