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.
Three members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) were apprehended on Friday, within the confines of Mangetti National Park. The arrests followed after park officials saw the perpetrators climbing over a fence during a routine anti-poaching patrol and fence inspection. The three soldiers were arrested while attempting to claim over the Mangetti Park’s boundary fence into the Mururani location, bearing bags laden with dried game meat ranging from Eland, Kudu and Wildebeest.
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NAM_2024_04_Three NDF members arrested for poaching in Mangetti National Park_Windhoek Observer.pdf | 187.67 KB |
In kamoefleerdrag, swart stewels en ’n semi-outomatiese wapen in sy holster, is Marcus Jacobs soggens reg vir aksie. Wat dalk na ’n militêre operasie klink, is in werklikheid die daaglikse roetine van ’n man met ’n missie: die beskerming van bedreigde wild teen stropers. Jacobs is die hoofbestuurder van Namibia Wildlife Protection (NWP), ’n private sekuriteitsmaatskappy wat bedreigde wildspesies in Namibië teen stropers beskerm. Dit sluit in "hoë teikenspesies" soos renosters en olifante. "Ons kan nie meer ons kosbare spesies sonder wapens beskerm nie.
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NAM_2024_04_Wildstropers se Nemesis_Republikein.pdf | 66.37 KB |
NAM_2024_04_Game Poachers Nemesis_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 75.81 KB |
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2024_04_NWP ernstig oor bewaring_Republikein.pdf | 64.53 KB |
NAM_2024_04_NWP serious about conservation_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 74.69 KB |
A major shipment of 651 pieces of elephant ivory has been seized in Mozambique en route to Dubai. Officials from Mozambique's Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) and the Tax Authority intercepted a container at Maputo port on 22 March 2024 and found the ivory concealed in a shipment of bags of corn. This is the third known large-scale seizure of elephant ivory exported from Mozambique since 2022.
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MAL_2024_03_Two jailed for possessing live Pangolin in Balaka_Malawi 24.pdf | 230 KB |
In a recent incident in Katombora, Middle Zambezi Valley, two suspected poachers met a fatal end after engaging in a firefight with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife (Zimparks) rangers. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of the poachers, while three others were apprehended. The rangers acted swiftly to protect wildlife and recovered 15 elephant tusks, along with a rifle and ammunition.
A handful of hunting guides have been arrested in various parts of the country over the past few months, each charged with separate illegal activities related to leopard hunting. The ministry is working very closely with the police and has decided that if the industry cannot rid itself of illicit practices, then rigorous law enforcement is the only option.
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NAM_2024_03_Growing number of leopard_hunting guides arrested_Namibian Sun.pdf | 156.24 KB |
Drie mans is die afgelope naweek in hegtenis geneem nadat hulle met beskermde plantspesies van ongeveer N$80 000 in die Kavango-Wesstreek betrap is. "Die drie verdagtes van onderskeidelik 27, 30 en 37 jaar oud, is Vrydag by die Namasira-polisiekontrolepunt gearresteer nadat hulle met 7 x 150 kg-sakke Cyphostemma, met 'n gewig van sowat 429 kg en ter waarde van N$79 288, betrap is," lui die Namibiese polisie se misdaadverslag. Volgens die verslag het die verdagtes nie 'n permit gehad wat hulle goedkeuring verleen het om die spesifieke beskermde plantspesies te oes of te vervoer…
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NAM_2024_03_Mans betrap met beskermde plante_Republikein.pdf | 236.41 KB |
NAM_2024_03_Men caught with protoected plants_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 237.08 KB |
Three Namibians were nabbed last week after they were caught in possession of close to 450 kilograms of protected plants, estimated to be worth nearly N$80 000. According to the Namibian Police, the three men - aged 27, 30 and 37 - were caught at the Namasira police checkpoint in the Kavango West Region last Friday. Police discovered the men were transporting seven 150-kilogram bags containing 176 gouty-vine (cyphostemma) plants weighing, 429 kilograms in total. The pants were valued at N$79 288.
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NAM_2024_03_Three men caught with protected plants worth NS80 000_Namibian Sun.pdf | 204.71 KB |
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ZIM_2024_03_University student_ accomplice jailed for possessing pangolin scales_The Herald.pdf | 107.46 KB |
In Namibia werden vermehrt Leoparden auf inakzeptable Weise gejagt. Jagdpraktiken, die der Tierquälerei nahekommen und nichts mehr mit naturschutzorientierter Jagd im Einklang mit der Natur zu tun haben, fassen in der Branche zunehmend Fuß - dem muss ein Ende gesetzt werden. In Namibia, leopards are increasingly being hunted in unacceptable ways. Hunting practices that come close to animal cruelty and no longer have anything to do with conservation-oriented hunting in harmony with nature are increasingly gaining a foothold in the industry - this must be put to an end.
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NAM_2024_04_Leopardenjagd eskaliert_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 358.49 KB |
NAM_2024_03_Leopard hunting escalates_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 355.25 KB |
A Nairobi court has frozen ownership of a Mercedes Benz and a block of residential flats built on prime land within Allsops area in Ruaraka belonging to televangelist and businessman Jackson Mbugua Burugu. This is in connection with a case of poaching that is pending in court. Lady Justice Diana Kavedza of the Nairobi Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division issued the freezing order following a suit filed by the Asset Recovery Agency. Burugu is a prominent Nairobi-based televangelist who is commonly referred to as 'Bishop'.
South Africa's Succulent Karoo is home to flora that occur nowhere else on earth. But a rapidly escalating onslaught by criminal networks threatens many of these rare species. This webinar will showcase insights from a new ENACT report that explores the illegal market for ornamental succulents, focusing on South Africa’s multistakeholder efforts to counter the trade. Speakers will highlight key challenges and opportunities, and put forward recommendations to improve responses.
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SA_Growing_growing_gone_safeguarding SAs illegally traded succulents_ISS Africa.pdf | 109.38 KB |
Between 2015 and February 2024, Namibia lost a staggering 631 rhinos due to poaching, marking a concerning downturn in its conservation success. This is according to statistics provided by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism last week during the Commemoration of World Wildlife Day 2024. Breaking down the figures year by year, statistics paint a grim picture of 97 rhinos poached in 2015 alone, with six reported to be poached in 2016 and five poached in 2017.
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NAM_2024_03_More than 600 rhinos were poached in ten years_Windhoek Observer.pdf | 965.03 KB |
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has sounded the alarm on the rapid decline of wildlife habitats due to deforestation and industrial emissions, exacerbating the impacts of climate change and hindering efforts to sustainably manage natural resources. In a statement released over the weekend to mark World Wildlife Day, Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the ministry, highlighted the urgent need to confront the challenges confronting local wildlife.
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NAM_2024_03_Namibia_Deforestation and Poaching Threaten Endangered Species_Namibia Economist.pdf | 1.97 MB |
Windhoek, March 04-Namibia boasts a healthy population of wildlife species, and its conservation efforts are held in high regard globally. However, recent poaching statistics reveal a troubling trend, with the country losing a total of 631 rhinos over the past decade. According to Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Namibia recorded 97 rhino poachings in 2015, 66 in 2016, 55 in 2017, 84 in 2018, 61 in 2019, 48 in 2020, 53 in 2021, 92 in 2022, 67 in 2023, and 8 in 2024 to date.
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NAM_2024_03_Rhino_poaching still a major concern for Namibian Government_Namibia Daily News.pdf | 452.17 KB |
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said Saturday that rapid deforestation and industrial emissions in the country are causing habitat loss for rare and endangered wildlife, exacerbating climate change impacts such as droughts and floods, and hindering efforts to sustainably manage natural resources for future generations. In a statement commemorating World Wildlife Day, Romeo Muyunda, the ministry's spokesperson, underscored the critical need to address the challenges facing Namibia's wildlife.
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NAM_2024_03_Namibia warns of wildlife crisis due to deforestation_poaching_China.org_.cn_.pdf | 690.09 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 |