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.
Die weermag van Botswana (BDF) het vier stropers in drie afsonderlike voorvalle in die Okavango-delta doodgeskiet. Volgens 'n mediaverklaring van die BDF het die voorvalle oor sewe dae tussen 22 en 29 Junie plaasgevind toe heen en weer tussen die weermag en stopers geskiet is. "Die kontakgebiede was by Mombo, Kurunxaraga en die Selina-oorloop in die gebied van Linyanti. Daar is ’n onrusbarende oplewing van renosterstropery in die Okavango-delta en stropers volhard met genadelose taktieke met BDF-lede as teiken," lui die verklaring.
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BOT_2020-07_Botswana skiet vier stropers_Republikein.pdf | 297.8 KB |
BOT_2020-07_Botswana shoots four poachers-Republikein_Eng.pdf | 348 KB |
Volgens die weeklikse wildmisdaadverslag vanaf 29 Junie tot 6 Julie is twee nuwe wildmisdaadsake aanhangig gemaak en vier verdagtes in hegtenis geneem. Mnre. Alfred Renatius Haipos Langendorf en Gotrieb Ndikwetepo Shishitwomunhu is op 30 Junie glo met twee olifanttande in hul besit in Windhoek in hegtenis geneem. Die polisie het ook beslag op 'n voertuig gelê.
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NAM_2020-07_Twee vas oor olifanttande_Republikein.pdf | 222.05 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Two arrested with elephant tusks_Republikein.pdf | 222.02 KB |
Local organisations supporting conservation in Namibia have seen their budgets slashed by up to 30%, as the coronavirus pandemic significantly impacts the world's economy. Among these organisations are Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT), Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) and the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), which provide critical field-based support to trackers and rhino rangers.
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NAM_2020-07_B2Gold project steps in to save rhinos_Namibian sun.pdf | 396.59 KB |
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism today received a donation of a vehicle and vetenary drugs for the ministry's Canine Unit, aimed at supporting anti-poaching efforts. The two donations were made by Standard Bank and Swavet, MDS Animal Health and the Rhino Park Private Hospital, at a handover ceremony hosted in Windhoek today.
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NAM_2020-07_Environment ministry receives donation for Canine Unit_The Namibian.pdf | 957.43 KB |
Die Finansiële Aksie-taakmag beskryf in sy eerste verslag oor wildmisdaad dit as 'n internasionale bedreiging wat verbind kan word met georganiseerde misdaad soos slawerny, dwelm- en wapensmokkelary. Volgens die verslag is daar 'n gebrek aan fokus op die finansiële aspek van wildmisdaad en stel voor alle regerings moet wette op geldwassery implementeer. Die studie se bevindings is gebaseer op die insette van 50 lande, Namibië ingesluit, wat lid is van die Oostelike en Suider-Afrika Teengeldwasserygroep (ESAAMLG). 'n Totaal van 22 uit 45 lande het aangedui dat hulle…
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NAM_2020-07_Optrede teen wildstropery nodig_Republikein.pdf | 350.11 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Action against poaching needed_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 350.51 KB |
With conservation funding affected by the lockdown, a number of areas in north-western Namibia’s rhino range have been left exposed by the lack of tourists thus requiring extra patrolling. With the donation of 1,000 ounces of gold by B2Gold, the launch of the B2Gold Rhino Gold Bar in January 2020 and the subsequent sale of 600 bars to local buyers, the B2Gold Rhino Gold Bar Advisory Committee has responded to the crisis.
As we now know, Botswana is home to a third of Africa's declining elephant population. But, over the last two months, 350 elephant carcasses have been spotted in the Okavango Delta since the start of May. It is a serious worry that over 350 elephants have died with no clear reason and indeed a conservation disaster.
The world looks at this mysterious deaths and needs to know the real cause of the mass loss of elephants, and what should be done to stop this unnatural disaster, one thing the deaths are unrelated to drought.
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BOT_2020-07_The stronghold for Africass elephants is under certain threat_The Star.pdf | 246.64 KB |
FATF-Mitgliedsländer sollen illegalen Wildtierhandel bestrafen In einem ersten globalen Bericht über den illegalen Handel mit Wildtieren hat die Arbeitsgruppe für Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung von Geldwäsche und Terrorismusfinanzierung (Financial Action Task Force, FATF) diesen als globale Bedrohung beschrieben, vergleichbar mit organisierten Verbrechen wie Sklaverei, Drogen- und Waffenhandel.
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NAM_2020-07_Wildtierkriminalitat im Fokus_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 263.32 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Focus on wildlife crime_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 261.96 KB |
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in collaboration with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) has translocated 30 giraffes to two communal conservancies and a national park. The translocation, which took place last week, is part of the ministry's quest to boost the existing population and increase its genetic diversity.
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NAM_2020-07_Ministry boosts giraffe conservation_The Namibian.pdf | 979.4 KB |
It's important to know that it wasn't always like this – the government, local communities, NGOs, the private sector and international agencies have made a huge investment in rebuilding Namibian rhino populations from historic lows. The black rhino, a frugal browser of herbs and shrubs, was once distributed across most of what is today Namibia. It penetrated the Namib down to the coast along all larger ephemeral and perennial rivers. Its distribution extended from the Nama Karoo in the south to the broad-leaved woodlands and rivers of today's Zambezi region.
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NAM_2020-07_Understanding rhino conservation in Namibia_The Namibian.pdf | 548.51 KB |
In South Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic and strict government-imposed lockdown have led to an unexpected consequence: a major decline in rhino poaching. More than 80% of African rhinos remaining in the world are in South Africa, making it the hotspot for rhino poaching. The number of rhinos killed for their horns has been slowly declining over recent years, but the pandemic and lockdown have quelled rhino poaching even more.
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SA_2020-07_Rhino poaching in South Africa declines during coronavirus lockdown_Pri_Org.pdf | 479.45 KB |
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) in collaboration with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) translocated 30 giraffes to two communal conservancies and a national park within the month of June. Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda in a statement this week said the translocation took place with the assistance from Du Preez Wild and funding by GCF and Wildlife Conservation Alliance. According to Muyunda the ministry captured and translocated 13 giraffes to Mangetti National Park in Kavango West; three to Okongo Conservancy in Ohangwena and 14…
In its first global report on the illegal wildlife trade, the Financial Action Task Force (FAFT) has described it as a global threat with links to other organised crimes such as slavery, drug trafficking and the arms trade. The report expressed concern over the lack of focus on the financial aspects of wildlife crime and suggested that all member governments should apply money-laundering laws. The findings of the study are based on inputs from countries in 50 jurisdictions, including Namibia, which is a member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering…
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NAM_2020-07_Illegal wildlife trade must be punished_Namibian Sun.pdf | 303.25 KB |
Nine suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crimes and four new cases were registered last week. Four of the suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching or trafficking, while one suspect was arrested and charged with elephant poaching. This is according to the latest statistics provided by the intelligence and investigation unit in the environment ministry and the protected resource division within the safety and security ministry. A total of seven wildlife products were seized, which included a rhino horn, five elephant tusks and a…
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NAM_2020-07_Nine arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 300.18 KB |
Twee Namibiese mans wat na bewering 'n renoster probeer stroop het, is verlede Woensdag met 'n jaggeweer en ammunisie in hegtenis geneem. Volgens die weeklikse wildmisdaadverslag van die Namibiese polisie se eenheid vir beskermde hulpbronne en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme se intelligensie- en ondersoekeenheid, is mnre. Mbakondja Tjatindi en Matias Kaurikengererua by Oshakati in hegtenis geneem.
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NAM_2020-03_Twee mans probeer glo renoster stroop_Republikein.pdf | 216.88 KB |
NAM_2020-03_Two men are apparently tried to poach rhino_Republikein.pdf | 217.27 KB |
Twee verdagtes wat glo 'n renoster in die Etosha Nasionale Park gestroop het, is vasgetrek. Die woordvoerder van die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, mnr. Romeo Muyunda, het vanoggend aan Republikein bevestig dat twee vermeende renosterstropers die naweek in hegtenis geneem is.
Two suspects who allegedly poached a rhino in Etosha National Park were arrested. The spokesman for the Ministry of the Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Mr. Romeo Muyunda confirmed to Republikein this morning that two suspected rhino poachers were arrested over the…
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NAM_2020-03_Twee vermeende renosterstropers vas_Republikein.pdf | 231.63 KB |
NAM_2020-03_Two suspected rhino poachers-Republikein_Eng.pdf | 232.2 KB |
Sixteen suspects have been arrested in recent days in connection with wildlife crimes and six new cases were registered. According to police statistics ten wildlife products were confiscated, and five firearms and one vehicle were seized. The wildlife products included four pieces of elephant ivory, a pangolin skin, two duiker carcasses, an impala carcass and a warthog carcass. On 5 March two Zambians, an Angolan and a Namibian were arrested at Kongola for illegally hunting protected game.
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NAM_2020-03_16 arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 211.68 KB |
Namibia has lost nine rhinos and one elephant to poaching since the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said Monday. Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said poaching took place inside private owned farms and the country's national parks, with the latest incident taking place last Friday when one elephant was poached. Two suspects have since been arrested.
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NAM_2020-03_Namibia loses 9 rhinos 1 elephant to poaching since January_China Org.pdf | 138.95 KB |
There will be few positives to take from coronavirus. But the global pandemic may yet prove to be an important moment in the attempts to address the illegal wildlife trade. The media has generally concentrated on effects rather than causes, in particular the global implications for public health and economies. But it is also vital to unravel the timeline of the pandemic and categorically determine its initial cause.
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WORLWIDE_2020-03_Coronavirus illegal wildlife_Journal of African Elephants.pdf | 1.95 MB |
The Namibia Police Force arrested and charged 16 suspects on charges of rhino or elephant poaching and conspiracy of elephant poaching last week. Police also confiscated five firearms, rounds of ammunitions and a motor vehicle. Among other items which were recovered during the anti-poaching operation are; varied wild life products such as four elephant tusks, a pangolin skin , two duiker carcasses, one waterbuck carcass and one warthog carcass.
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NAM_2020-03_Sixteen arrested for poaching_New Era.pdf | 193.82 KB |
Kelsey Prediger walks into the bush in the darkness of early evening. She is armed with only a small torch, telemetry equipment, a mobile phone and a belt pouch with small research tools. Although the grass is hip high in places, Kelsey appears unfazed by the possibility of encountering a snake, a leopard or another potentially dangerous creature.
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NAM_2020-03_Namibia Pangolins_What do we Actually Know_The Namibian.pdf | 449.47 KB |
In its efforts to boost the much-needed security at the conservancy, N≠a Jaqna conservancy management committee member Lara Diez said they have added 12 new guards to help curb poaching that of late has seen a rapid increase at the park. "Poaching has become an ever-increasing problem and the new game guards will increase vigilance and monitoring in the conservancy. The delicate balance between wildlife management, licensed hunting and the community is disturbed greatly by poaching,” Diez said in a statement yesterday.
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NAM_2020-03_Conservancy reinforces security to curb poaching_New Era.pdf | 338.73 KB |
Vier Namibiese mans is verlede Dinsdag by Nkurenkuru in verband met ivoorsmokkelary en die onwettige besit van 'n vuurwapen in hegtenis geneem. Vier stukke ivoor, een pistool, ammunisie en een voertuig is by mnre. Moses Shikondjeni, Shindumbu Lungameni, Tobias Nghilaluwa en Jackson Haufiku gekonfiskeer.
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NAM_03_2020_Vier vas oor stukke ivoor_Republikein.pdf | 96.43 KB |
Die Behörden haben in den vergangenen Tagen insgesamt 16 Personen wegen Verdachts auf Wilderei verhaftet. Einem aktuellen Bericht des Umweltministeriums zufolge wurden über diesen Zeitraum sechs neue Ermittlungen gestartet und allein in der vergangenen Woche unter anderem vier Elefantenstoßzähne und ein Schuppentier-Panzer sichergestellt. Das Elfenbein sei bei einem Einsatz am Dienstag vergangener Woche in Nkurenkuru konfisziert worden.
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NAM_2020-03_16 Festnahmen wegen Wilderei_AZ.pdf | 333.9 KB |
NAM_2020-03_16 Arrests for poaching_AZ_Eng.pdf | 336.92 KB |
Vier Namibiese mans is verlede Dinsdag by Nkurenkuru in verband met ivoorsmokkelary en die onwettige besit van 'n vuurwapen in hegtenis geneem. Die polisie het glo vier stukke ivoor, een pistool, ammunisie en een voertuig by mnre. Moses Shikondjeni, Shindumbu Lungameni, Tobias Nghilaluwa en Jackson Haufiku gekonfiskeer.
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NAM_2020-03_Vier vas oor stukke ivoor_Republikein.pdf | 228.96 KB |
Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Director, Protocol and Public Affairs Colonel Tebo Dikole has this week slammed Botswana Police for talking and discussing BDF operational matters with the media and members of the public.
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BOT_2020-03_BDF hits at police over poaching incident_Weekend post.pdf | 352.74 KB |
On the flip side, among other features is the black rhino which faces extinction. Namibia is one of the vestiges of the black rhino, one of the world's most endangered animal species.
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NAM_2020-03_Namibia launches new N30 note_The Namibian.pdf | 853.38 KB |
The recent death of a BDF soldier has actually disrupted my sequenced Botswana military history write-ups. The death of this Special Forces operative will certainly become a turning point in the way the country has approached the growing problem.It has been almost thirty years since the first Special Forces operative was killed by poachers in the Chobe National Park in 1991. At that time I had just earned my commission as a second lieutenant and we were therefore given a serious briefing on what was going on in the field.
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BOT_2020-003_BDF Should Ask China for Help with Anti_Poaching_Sunday Standard.pdf | 68.63 KB |
AT least 59 people have been arrested for poaching by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZIMPARKS) as from January this year to date.
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ZIM_2020-03_JUST IN_ 59 poachers arrested_The Herald.pdf | 430.91 KB |
Four elephants were found dead, three of them without tusks in Woodlands Farm resettlement area on Monday.
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ZIM_2020-03_Four elephants poisoned_tusks removed_The Chronicle.pdf | 504.07 KB |
The term 'poacher' is often used for anyone involved in wildlife crime. In reality, wildlife crime functions through a complex web of criminals, where the poachers – the people carrying out the illegal killing of an animal to initiate the trade in its parts – are at the lowest level.
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NAM_03_2020_Rhino poaching and the inside job_The Namibian.pdf | 570.97 KB |
Three suspected rhino poachers who allegedly strayed into Bubye Conservancy in Mazunga area in Beitbridge district, where they intended to poison wildlife were on Thursday denied bail by the High Court.
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ZIM_2020-03_Three suspected rhino poachers found with pesticide denied bail_The Chronicle.pdf | 284.18 KB |
Die Behörden haben mehrere Wilderer verhaftet. Darunter befinde sich auch ein Mann, bei dem die Beamten hunderte Teile von Schuppentieren gefunden haben. Das geht aus einem gemeinsamen Bericht der beteiligten Einheiten hervor, der zu Beginn der Woche vom Umweltministerium veröffentlicht wurde.
The authorities have arrested several poachers. Among them is a man with whom the officials have found hundreds of pangolins. This emerges from a joint report by the units involved, which was published by the Ministry of the Environment earlier this week.
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NAM_2020-03_Pangolin-Schuppen sichergestellt_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 338.34 KB |
NAM_2020-03_Pangolin scales secured_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 335.28 KB |
Die Population des Spitzmaulnashorns in Afrika hat sich nach den dramatischen Einbrüchen seit den 70er Ja Zahl der Tiere in der Wildnis von geschätzten 4845 auf 5630 Exemplare, wie die Weltnaturschutzunion (IUCN) am Donner (Diceros bicornis) vom Aussterben bedroht.
A Namibian man was arrested last week at Rundu for being in possession of 611 pangolin scales, five pieces of skin and one whole pangolin skin. A total of nine suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crimes last week and three new cases were registered.
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NAM_2020-03_Namibian caught with 611 pangolin scales_Namibian Sun.pdf | 204.33 KB |
'n Namibiese man, mnr. Hega Nekare, is verlede Dinsdag op Rundu glo met verskeie ietermagôprodukte in hegtenis geneem.
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NAM_2020-03_Man glo met sowat 600 ietermagoskubbe vas_Republikein.pdf | 211.03 KB |
The trial of six men facing rhino-poaching charges continued in the Grahamstown High Court this week. East London residents Francis Chitiyo, Trymore Chauke, Misheck Chauke, Simba Masinge and Nhamo Muyambo, and Abraham Moyane were arrested in July 2018 during Operation Full Moon – the Eastern Cape Rhino Task Team’s code name for its anti-poaching operations. All six have since been in custody. They are accused on four counts.
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SA_2020-03_Poaching trial to resume in May_Grocotts Mail.pdf | 831.45 KB |
Three men accused of dealing in or possessing two elephant tusks at Walvis Bay last year denied guilt on the charges they are facing during an appearance in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
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NAM_2020-03_Alleged ivory dealers deny guilt on charges_The Namibian.pdf | 346.14 KB |
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife has arrested a 39 year old Kapiri Mposhi man for being in possession of 12 pieces of elephant Ivory tusks worth over K100, 000. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Central Region Warden Patrick Sakanga has confirmed the arrest to ZANIS yesterday.
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ZAM_2020-03_Zambia Police arrest man for being in possession of 12 pieces of elephant Ivory tusks.pdf | 101.86 KB |
A man was arrested at Okandjengendi on Monday while trying to sell to undercover police officers a live pangolin.
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NAM_2020-03_Man caught with live pangolin_Informante.pdf | 1.54 MB |
Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldier and a poacher have died during a poaching incident that happened early this morning at Chiefs Island in heart of the Okavango Delta, the army has confirmed.
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BOT_2020-03_Mmegi Online_Soldier_poacher killed in rhino hotspot shootout.pdf | 322.82 KB |
Significant successes, including the arrest of 63 suspects for wildlife-related crimes, have been recorded by anti-poaching units in the Etosha National Park since February last year. This was revealed during a visit to Etosha by police inspector-general Sebastian Ndeitunga, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta and defence minister Penda Ya Ndakolo last Friday.
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NAM_2020-03_Anti poaching units shine at Etosha_Namibian Sun.pdf | 254 KB |
‘n 47-jarige man van Onawa in Oshakati se Okandjengedi-informele nedersetting is Maandag in hegtenis geneem toe hy ‘n ietermagô aan ‘n polisie-speurder probeer verkoop het.
A 47-year-old Onawa man in Oshakati's Okandjengedi informal settlement was arrested on Monday when he tried to sell a Pangolin to a police detective.
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NAM_2020-03_Ietermago-verkoper trap in polisie_Republikein.pdf | 302.11 KB |
NAM_2020-03_Pangolin vendor steps into police trap_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 208.5 KB |
Given Namibia's poaching crisis, an education and awareness advocacy campaign is critical in order to develop strengthened community ownership and responsibility over wildlife.
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NAM_2020-03_Painting Murals For Conservation Advocacy_The Namibian.pdf | 355.56 KB |
Police reservists at Karibib intercepted a group of poachers, who had killed two oryx at Farm Albrechtshohe, but were only able to apprehend one of the four suspects.
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NAM_2020-03_K9 unit thwarts suspected oryx poachers_The Namibian.pdf | 406.08 KB |
Despite significant anti-poaching efforts, the rhino poaching onslaught continues unabated in Botswana with 47 rhinos lost to poachers over the last 12 months. This has devastated Botswana’s rhino populations and significantly set back the work of Rhino Conservation Botswana. For the past two decades we have worked with the Government of Botswana and private sector partners to bring rhinos from high poaching areas in South Africa and Zimbabwe into Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
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BOT_2020-03_Media Release Rhino poaching in Botswana _9 March 2020 final.pdf | 187.03 KB |
Nachdem zwei Oryx-Antilopen auf einer Farm nahe Karibib geschlachtet wurden, befindet sich ein Tatverdächtiger in Haft, während die Behörden nach drei weiteren Personen fahnden. Das teilte der Polizeisprecher der Erongo-Region, Erastus Iikuyu, jetzt mit.
After two Oryx antelopes have been slaughtered on a farm near Karibib, one suspect is in custody while the authorities search for three more. This was announced by the Erongo region police spokesman, Erastus Iikuyu.
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NAM_2020-03_Polizei sucht drei Wilderer_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 339.5 KB |
Six suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crimes recently and three new cases were opened. This is according to statistics provided by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resources unit in the safety and security ministry.
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NAM_2020-03_Six arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 235.61 KB |
Officials in Namibia and Botswana have highlighted the need for increased collaboration in security measures in protected wildlife areas as poaching continues to be a challenge.