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.
Beslag is verlede week op een lewende ietermagô, een leeu- en drie luiperdvelle gelê. Volgens die wildmisdaadverslag vanaf 27 Julie tot 2 Augustus van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is altesaam agt verdagtes in hegtenis geneem en drie sake aanhangig gemaak.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-08_Een leeu_drie leeuperdvelle gekonfiskee_Republikein.pdf | 217.57 KB |
NAM_2020-08_One lion three leopard skins confiscated_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 217.18 KB |
Five suspects were arrested last week for contravening the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act after they were allegedly found in possession of lion and leopard skins.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-08_Five nabbed over wild cat skins_The Namibian.pdf | 470.69 KB |
Namibia has lost 17 rhinos and two elephants to poaching since the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said Tuesday.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-08_Namibia loses 17 rhinos 2 elephants to poaching since January_CGTN Africa.pdf | 215.75 KB |
Namibië is as die tweede beste land in wildbewaring op die Megafauna Conservation Index (MCI) aangewys. Buurland Botswana is as die wenner uit 152 lande gekroon.
Namibia was named the second best country in wildlife conservation on the Megafauna Conservation Index (MCI). Neighboring Botswana was crowned the winner from 152 countries.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-08_Namibie tweede beste in wildbewaring_Republikein.pdf | 317.31 KB |
NAM_2020-08_Namibia second best in wildlife conservation_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 316.39 KB |
166 rhinos have been poached during the first half of 2020, compared to 316 at the same time last year. Of the rhinos killed this year, nearly three-quarters happened before the lockdown. In fact, in the month of April, no rhinos were killed in the Intensive Protection Zone in Kruger for the first time in almost ten years.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
Africa Geographic_2020-08_Rhino poaching stats 2020_more shades of grey_Africa Geographic.pdf | 843.69 KB |
Two years after making international headlines by disarming its anti-poaching unit, Botswana is preparing
to give game rangers back their guns. Information from the government enclave suggest that the Attorney General chambers is already drafting a new piece of legislation that will facilitate re-arming of the anti-poaching unit.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
BOT_2020-08_Botswana anti_poaching unit returns to arms_Sunday Standard.pdf | 693.41 KB |
Two black rhinoceroses, whose carcasses were recently found by game scouts in Bubye Valley Conservancy, have been killed by poachers, police have confirmed.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
ZIM_2020-08_Poachers kill two rhinos_The Herald.pdf | 238.45 KB |
Save the Rhino Trust has just received more than one million dollars in funding from the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation. This diamond money will be used to support physical protection of rhinos in the wild, but also to amplify a reading programme for learners in the Kunene region.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-08_An aware literate community first bulwark against rhino poaching_Namibia Economist.pdf | 770.01 KB |
Minister says efforts are paying off, with lockdown and increased law enforcement efforts cutting rhino deaths to 166 to date.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
SA_2020-07_Lockdown restrictions help cut rhino poaching by half this year_The South African.pdf | 251.82 KB |
Vanaf 17 tot 23 Februarie is beslag op twee renosterhorings gelê. Drie vermeende renosterstropers in die Etosha Nasionale Park, mnre. Festus Simon, Johannes Valombola en Efraim Malakia, is op 18 Februarie by Okahao in hegtenis geneem. Volgens die polisie is twee renosterhorings, twee .303-jaggewere, 30 patrone en 'n voertuig gekonfiskeer.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_Drie stroop glo renoster in Etosha_Republikein.pdf | 8.33 MB |
NAM_2020-02_Three poach rhino in Etosha_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 8.31 MB |
Thirteen suspects were arrested recently in connection with wildlife crimes, while five new cases were opened. According to statistics released by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resources division in the safety and security ministry, a total of three illegal wildlife products were also seized.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_13 arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 132.83 KB |
A senior police ocer at Oshakati’s protected resources unit was the mastermind behind the poaching incidences which occurred in Etosha National Park last month.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_Senior cop arrested over rhino poaching_New Era Live.pdf | 985.01 KB |
Nege verdagtes is verlede week in verband met renosterstropery of -horingsmokkelary in hegtenis geneem. Volgens die wildmisdaadverslag van 17 tot 23 Februarie is beslag op twee renosterhorings gelê. Een likkewaan, 58 ammunisie, vyf vuurwapens en een voertuig is ook gekonfiskeer.
Nine suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching or horn smuggling last week. According to the wildlife crime report of 17 to 23 February, two rhino horns were seized.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_Nege vas oor renosterhorings_Republikein.pdf | 8.36 MB |
NAM-2020-02_Nine arrested for rhino horns_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 5.95 MB |
China yesterday declared an immediate and “comprehensive” ban on the trade and consumption of wild animals, a practice believed to be responsible for the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_China bans illegal wildlife trade_The Namibian.pdf | 484.73 KB |
Kruger National Park, South Africa - Officials at South African National Parks say cooperation with neighboring Mozambique has been a key factor in reducing rhinoceros poaching in the famous Kruger National Park. Kruger is home to the world's largest wild rhino population, and has proven a tempting target for poachers who for years jumped the park’s borders.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
SA_2020-02_South Africa_Mozambique Cooperation Reduces Rhino Poaching _Voice of America.pdf | 251.05 KB |
About 100,000 children in and around the national parks of Gonarezhou in Zimbabwe and Limpopo in Mozambique are being educated through the Peace and Changemaker Generation project to appreciate wildlife conservation efforts and to take a stand against wildlife crime. The project also promotes girls’ rights in their communities as part of wider efforts to strengthen the two countries’ efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
ZIM_2020-02_elephants Zimbabwe Mozambique_Journal of African Elephants.pdf | 1.04 MB |
The alleged rhino poachers mr. Mapole Tjipopyeni, Thomas Eino, Hofni Mengeri and Petena Karure appeared in court last Monday at Omaruru for the start of their trial.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_Six suspected smugglers get bail_Republican.pdf | 194.66 KB |
At least 82 people were arrested last year alone and police recovered 17 pangolins and over 1 000 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, as the Zimbabwe Republic Police declares war on wildlife crimes countrywide.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
ZIM_2020-02_82 arrested for pangolin poaching_The Herald.pdf | 510.67 KB |
Ses vermeende renosterhoringsmokkelaars is verlede week in Namibiese howe op borgtog van N$20 000 elk vrygelaat.
Six suspected rhino horn smugglers were released in Namibian courts last week on bail of N $ 20,000 each.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_Ses vermeende smokkelaars kry borg_Republikein.pdf | 368.84 KB |
NAM_2020-02_Six suspected smugglers get bail_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 225.36 KB |
Five suspected elephant poachers escaped following re exchange with the members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) anti-poaching team in the Shaile area of the Chobe National Park on March 16 afternoon.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
BOT_2020-03_Elephant poachers Botswana _Journal of African Elephants.pdf | 1.47 MB |
Law enforcement officials in Hluhluwe and Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, have been applauded for the stellar work they displayed in intercepting a group of rhino poachers who were on the verge of claiming the life of one of these endangered animals.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
SA_2020-02_Rhino poachers stopped in their tracks by KZN police.pdf | 356.55 KB |
LAW enforcement agents last week cracked down on six individuals who were found in possession of pangolin skin.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02 Six arrested for pangolin skin possession_The Namibian.pdf | 265.56 KB |
The rampant increase in wildlife poaching has been widely acknowledged as one of the greatest threats to biodiversity conservation in Africa. The Asian demand for rhinoceros horn has seen a massive onslaught on the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) and black rhino (Diceros bicornis) populations. Since 2008, there has been a gradual and then explosive growth in rhino poaching in South Africa and, to a lesser extent, Mozambique and Botswana.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
SA_2020-02 South Africa _GGA.pdf | 532.91 KB |
Rhino poaching in South Africa continues to decline as additional steps are taken by the government to ensure the crime is effectively dealt with.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
SA_2020-02_Role players force rhino poaching into decline South Africa_Rhino Review.pdf | 196.25 KB |
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in partnership with the US Department of State, conducted a successful Wildlife Trafficking Cybercrime Training Programme (WTCP) in Windhoek, Namibia.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02 Nampol officers trained in cybercrime_wildlife trafficking_Windhoek Observer.pdf | 345.34 KB |
A rhino poacher was sentenced to an effective 24 years imprisonment after he was convicted of 10 counts of rhino poaching, ve counts of theft, two counts of illegal possession of ammunition, illegal possession of rearm, possession of a prohibited rearm, cruelty to animals and money laundering by Free State High Court sitting in Virginia.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
SA_2020-02_Gauteng poacher gets 24 years for killing nine rhinos South Africa_Rhino Review.pdf | 902.58 KB |
Shoot-to-kill policies just don’t work, are immoral and unlawful too. To my knowledge, the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) anti-poaching squads have killed well over 60 alleged poachers since the late 1980s with no discernible effect.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
BOT_2020-02_ Mmegi Online_Of body bags and poached rhinos.pdf | 285.17 KB |
Namibia launched an initiative that will contribute to the collective efforts of conserving the environment as well as the conservancies and communities in the rural areas at an event held in Windhoek on Thursday.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_ Namibia launches conservation fund to tackle human_wildlife conflict.pdf | 159.17 KB |
A critically endangered Namibian mammal is receiving international attention with the release this week of an investigative report detailing the ongoing largescale tracking in this group of species. The eight species of pangolins or scaly anteaters are found across Africa, the middle East and South Asia. All eight species are widely pouched for their scales, believed by superstitious Orientals to have medicinal value. In fact, the scales are just compressed hair meaning they consist of keratin.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_ African Ietermagog goes to China by the tonnes_load_Namibia Economist.pdf | 483.54 KB |
The Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism with immediate effect will issue transport permits for already harvested timber destined for the local market, an official announced Thursday. The Minister of Environment Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta at a media briefing Thursday said no export permits will be issued for unprocessed or semi-processed timber.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020_08_New timber harvesting activities will remain prohibited_ Namibia Economist.pdf | 267.35 KB |
The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in partnership with the US Department of State, conducted a successful Wildlife Trafficking Cybercrime Training Programme (WTCP) in Windhoek, Namibia. The purpose of the training, which took place during January 27-31, 2020, was to strengthen global law enforcement relationships through the sharing of information related to the collection-preservation-examinationinvestigation of digital evidence in order to enhance the ability to combat worldwide illegal wildlife trafficking.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_Nampol officers trained in cybercrime_wildlife trafficking_Windhoek Observer.pdf | 307.59 KB |
Between 1 January and 31 December 2019, 155 suspects were arrested for being found in possession of pangolins or their parts, attempting to trade these, or aiding and abetting those charged with possession or trafficking. During the same year, law enforcement officers in Namibia confiscated 121 pangolins. About 60% of the pangolins were dead. Most of the animals seized alive could be rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_The plight of the Namibian pangolin_The Namibian.pdf | 574.51 KB |
Over the past ve years, there has been an overall decline in rhino and elephant poaching, with a major increase in arrests. This was shared yesterday by environment minister Pohamba Shifeta during his 2020 opening speech. Last year, a total of 45 rhinos were poached in comparison to 74 in 2018 and 55 in 2017. In 2016, 61 rhinos were poached, and 97 in 2015. According to Shifeta, two rhinos have been poached to date this year. As for elephants, 12 were poached last year, 27 in 2018 and 50 in 2017. In 2016, a total of 101 elephants were poached and 49 in 2015.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
NAM_2020-02_ Poaching declines_arrests increase_Namibia_Save the Elephants.pdf | 301.72 KB |
South Africa is escalating the fight against poaching using different means and collaborating with other countries in the midst of increased activity by illegal hunters, said South African National Parks (SANParks) on Tuesday.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
SA_2020-02_South African national parks declare war on poachers.pdf | 115.2 KB |