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.
Durban - A Good Samaritan came to the rescue of a poached duiker when he confiscated the animal from its poacher. The Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow) reported that on Sunday it received a call from a concerned member of the public from Hammarsdale, who informed them that he had confiscated a male grey duiker as it was a victim of poaching.
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SA_2023_03_Good Samaritan to the rescue after confiscating a poached grey duiker_IOL.pdf | 414.72 KB |
Durban - A Randfontein homeowner who was charged with illegally keeping three lions on his property could face jail time or a fine of up to R10 million. The NSPCA said they been contacted by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) regarding the illegal possession and captivity of three lions at a property in Randfontein. Keshvi Nair, NSPCA public relations officer, said they and Randwest SPCA carried out an inspection at the property on March 22. A joint operation between the NSPCA, Randwest SPCA, Isindile Big Cat and Predator…
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SA_2023_03_NSPCA removes 3 illegally kept lions in Randfontein_person could face fine of R10m_IOL.pdf | 416.72 KB |
Oshana police commissioner Naftal Sakaria says armed poachers found in the Etosha National Park should surrender to the police or they will be shot. Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo last week appointed Sakaria as the commander of the anti-poaching unit in Etosha National Park for a period of six months. While in this position, he will also remain the Oshana regional commander. Sakaria is tasked with commanding the police and military forces deployed in the flagship park to protect animals, especially iconic animals such elephants and rhinos, from being poached.
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NAM_2023_03_I cant guarantee you will leave Etosha alive_ The Namibian.pdf | 284.62 KB |
Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, the Oshana Regional Police Commander, was recently named the Gold Commander for the Etosha National Park Anti-poaching Safety and Security squad. Sakaria was named on March 23 and will, for the next six months, be in charge of directing the joint Nampol/NDF operational work in the Etosha National Park. He said that he will concurrently be in charge of the Oshana Region and also the anti-poaching operations in Etosha. "I have already been to Etosha, rotated the personnel and properly briefed them," he said.
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NAM_2023_03_No more poaching in Etosha_says Sakaria_Informante.pdf | 129.96 KB |
Two Bulawayo men have been arrested for allegedly possessing ivory with a market value of over US$2 000.
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ZIM_2023_03_Two arrested for possession of ivory_The Chronicle.pdf | 185.22 KB |
Protection of the rich, floral, fauna and archaeological resources of the Old Oyo National Park would be continually pursued in order to make it a masterpiece among other national parks in the country. It is against this backdrop that illegal activities of hunting, fishing, mining and cattle grazing identified as a menace, are currently being tackled headlong by the park authorities. The Conservator of Park, CP, Old Oyo National Park, Mr. Teslim Adeniyi - Kareem made this known while parading seven suspects recently arrested for various poaching activities in the park.
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NIG_2023_03_Seven suspected poachers arrested in Oyo_Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station.pdf | 253.15 KB |
Akashinga rangers, domiciled in Zimbabwe's Zambezi Valley have recovered 24 pangolins and 118 elephant tusks from raids on poachers since last year in Mashonaland West.
Angola's Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) in Bengo Province bordering the capital city Luanda, detained two poachers for killing an elephant in the municipality of Pango Aluquém. The detention took place this Monday due to complaints from people who saw the accused consuming and selling meat from the great mammal. The two, José Sebastião and Malambo Castro, aged 28 and 30, respectively, countered the accusations by saying that they found the animal already dead and that they only enjoyed the meat and ivory in the company of other people from their community.
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ANG_2023_03_Angolan authorities arrest two suspected suspected elephant poachers_Independent.pdf | 325.5 KB |
Cape Town - Four men from Milnerton pleaded guilty and were sentenced following their arrest for the possession of abalone valued at more than R4.8 million.
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SA_2023_03_Abalone poachers plead guilty in Cape Town Magistrates Court_IOL.pdf | 228.88 KB |
An intelligence-driven operation earlier this week led to the arrest in the Oshikoto Region of two residents of Windhoek who stand accused of trading in controlled wildlife products. According to a report about the arrest, provided by the commander of the Namibian Police in Oshikoto Region, Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, information received by investigators suggested that the two suspects were on their way to the south after completing a transaction where they were seen selling a pangolin skin.
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NAM_2023_03_Pangolin skin lands two in jail_Windhoek Observer.pdf | 243.4 KB |
Police arrested 26-year-old man on the N6 Road with 16 refuse bags filled with abalone.
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SA_2023_03_Police confiscate bags full of abalone worth over R1 million_The South African.pdf | 422.29 KB |
Two people were detained Wednesday after they were found in possession of a skin of a pangolin which is a protected species. The two were apprehended at a temporary roadblock on the Omuthiya-Ondangwa main road. They are both from Windhoek. According to the regional commander of the police in Oshikoto, Commissioner Teopolina Kalompo-Nashikaku, the skin is valued N$50 000.
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NAM_2023_03_Two arrested for alleged possession of a pangolin skin_Informante.pdf | 56.35 KB |
O Serviço de Investigação Criminal deteve um caçador furtivo que se tinha instalado no Parque Nacional da Quissama e abatia animais como elefantes e gazelas, que depois comercializava no mercado informal da Mutamba, em Luanda.
Luanda: SIC detains poachers who settled in the Quissama National Park and lived off the sale of the animals they slaughtered The Criminal Investigation Service detained a poacher who had settled in the Quissama National Park and killed animals such as elephants and gazelles, which he then sold at the informal market of Mutamba, in Luanda.
Nearly three years ago, North West District Council Chairman, Kebareeditse Ntsogotho was badly injured during an encounter with a buffalo just outside his home village, Khwai. Last week he, along with six other men from his village- including Deputy Chairman of Khwai Development Trust, Paul Mothathobi were summoned before Maun magistrates court charged with poaching.
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BOT_2023_03_NWDC chairman in poaching charges_thevoicebw.pdf | 256.8 KB |
The Wilderness Foundation has offered a reward in an effort to put the brakes on the recent spate of rhino poaching in the Eastern Cape.
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SA_2023_03_Wilderness Foundation offers reward to stop Eastern Cape rhino poaching_Herald Live.pdf | 307.41 KB |
Vietnamese authorities on Monday seized seven tonnes of ivory smuggled from Angola, the largest seizure of wildlife products in years, the government said.
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ANG_2023_03_Vietnam seizes 7 tonnes ivory in largest wildlife smuggling case in years_Daily Maverick.pdf | 339.96 KB |
A new report from the European Union-funded international crime response group, Enact, says organized crime groups from South Africa and China - in collaboration with corrupt wildlife officials - are "decimating" big game animals in one of the world's premier game reserves.
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SA_2023_03_Chinese_South African Mafia Decimating Wildlife in Kruger National Park_The Epoch Times.pdf | 451.46 KB |
Pretoria - A woman involved in rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park was on Friday jailed for 16 years by the Skukuza Regional Court.
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SA_2023_03_Woman rhino poacher jailed for 16 years_IOL.pdf | 180.42 KB |
The latest reports from national governments and agencies reveal (so far) that approximately 548 rhinos were poached in Africa last year. Overall, the total is a slight increase compared to 2021, when 539 rhinos were poached. This is a significant change from 2013 - 2017, when more than 1,000 rhinos were killed each year, yet it’s still dangerously high. On average, one rhino is still poached every 16 hours. Most of the rhinos poached last year were killed in Namibia and South Africa. In both countries, poachers have shifted their focus to new places.
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AFR_2023_03_548 rhinos poached in 2022_Save the Rhino.pdf | 350.64 KB |
Zwei Männer wurden gestern gegen 09:00 Uhr in der Region Dordabis festgenommen, nachdem sie auf einer Farm zwei Spitzmaulnashörner, eine Kuh und ein Kalb, gewildert haben sollen. Die Verdächtigen waren im Besitz eines Jagdgewehrs und von 15 Kugeln, von denen drei bereits verwendet worden waren. Außerdem wurden zwei Nashornhörner gefunden. Die Nashörner haben einen Wert von jeweils rund 500 000 N$. Die Männer wurden wegen verschiedener Vergehen angeklagt, unter anderem wegen der Jagd auf geschützte Wildtiere und des Besitzes von nicht zugelassenen Waffen.
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NAM_2023_03_Zwei Nashorn Wilderer festgenommen_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 289.33 KB |
NAM_2023_03_Two rhino poachers arrested_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 287.8 KB |
Twee mans is gister omstreeks 09:00 in die Dordabis-omgewing in hegtenis geneem nadat hulle glo twee swartrenosters, ‘n koei en ‘n kalf, op ‘n plaas doodgeskiet het. Die verdagtes het ‘n jaggeweer in hul besit gehad, asook 15 koeëls, waarvan drie reeds gebruik is. Twee renosterhorings is ook gevind. Die waarde van die renosters is sowat N$500 000 per renoster. Die mans is aangekla vir verskeie oortredings, insluitende vir die jag van beskermde wild en omdat hulle in besit was van ongelisensieërde wapens. Die polisie se ondersoek duur voort.
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NAM_2023_03_Twee renosterstropers aangekeer_Republikein.pdf | 223.54 KB |
NAM_2023_03_Two rhino poachers apprehended_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 198.5 KB |
Two men were arrested yesterday around 09:00 in the Dordabis area after they allegedly poached two black rhinos, a cow and a calf, on a farm. The suspects had a hunting rifle in their possession, as well as 15 bullets, of which three had already been used. Two rhino horns were also found. The rhinos are valued at around N$500 000 each. The men were charged with various offences, including hunting protected wildlife and being in possession of unlicensed weapons. Police investigations continue.
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NAM_2023_03_Two rhino poachers apprehended_Namibian Sun.pdf | 309.21 KB |
The Namibian Police have arrested two men, aged 47 and 27, who allegedly shot and killed two black rhinos (a cow and a calf) on a farm in the Dordabis area, Khomas Region. According to Chief Inspector Elifas Kuwinga, spokesperson of the Namibian Police, the incident happened on Thursday, 16 March 2023, at about 09:00. It is alleged that the two suspects shot and killed two rhinos and were also found with a 375-calibre firearm, with 13 live cartridges and three spent cartridges. The rhinos are worth N$500 000 each. Two rhino horns were also found at the scene.
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NAM_2023_03_Two rhinos shot and poached in Dordabis_Informante.pdf | 60.58 KB |
The High Court in Polokwane has convicted and sentenced 36- year-old Bethuel Mdubane to 24 years effective imprisonment for an assortment of crimes including murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and hunting and shooting two rhinos. Additionally, Mdubane was also sentenced for unlawful possession of stolen car, two counts of possession of ammunition, and three counts of unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.
A man was arrested for keeping lions on a plot in Dennydale Agricultural Holdings. Police arrested a 43-year-old man after he was found in possession of three lions, without a valid permit, on a plot in Dennydale Agricultural Holdings. Randfontein police spokesperson Sergeant Carmen Hendricks said police officers were acting on a tip-off when they made the arrests.
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SA_2023_03_Man arrested for keeping lions on plot without permit_The Citizen.pdf | 426.8 KB |
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism yesterday said they responded to a report about a Hippo that was found dead in the Muyako area, in a purported poaching incident. The Ministry's Spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said that upon close inspection by staff members, it was found that the hippo had a bullet wound, adding that it was poached the previous night. "When the team arrived, community members had already gathered in anticipation for the meat distribution exercise.
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NAM_2023_03_Hippo poached at Zambezi_Windhoek Observer.pdf | 274.85 KB |
Three suspected poachers have been detained by Tanzanian police after they were found in possession of six elephant tusks in the country's northern region of Manyara, police said on Saturday.
Police has arrested three men for illegal possession of seven leopard skins in Victoria Falls.
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ZIM_2023_03_Three nabbed for illegal possession of leopard skins_New Zimbabwe.pdf | 339.58 KB |
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has launched an investigation into the poaching of two hippos in the Muyako area of the Zambezi region. This comes after the carcass of a hippo was on Sunday found by community members, who then alerted ministry officials Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda on Monday said it is suspected that the hippo died as a result of a bullet wound, and that it was shot on Saturday night. He said this was the second hippo killed in the same way in the area this year, with the first incident reported in February.
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NAM_2023_03_Two hippos poached at Muyako_Zambezi_The Namibian.pdf | 299.15 KB |
Last week, the South African Police Service in Piet Retief achieved a commendable result by arresting a 27-year-old man in possession of two rhino horns. The arrest came after members of the public brought information about the suspect’s alleged dealings to the attention of the police. Upon searching his vehicle, the police found two rhino horns hidden inside the bonnet and wrapped with black plastic. The fact that the local community is speaking out against wildlife crime is also a positive development.
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SA_2023_03_Man arrested with 2 rhino horns_STS.pdf | 269.64 KB |
Rhino poaching has decreased by almost 53% in the first six months of 2020, with 166 animals being killed for their horns across the country since the beginning of the year. During the first six months of 2019, 316 rhino had been poached in South Africa.
Canadian gold miner, B2Gold on Wednesday announced the launch of its Namibian Rhino Gold Bar campaign in North America to support the conservation and protection of the critically endangered black rhinos.
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NAM_2020-07_B2GOLDS local rhino gold bar campaign launched in North America-Namibian Economist.pdf | 404.94 KB |
Three local men, who allegedly tried to sell a live pangolin, appeared in court here Tuesday facing charges of illegal possession of an endangered species.
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ZIM_2020-07_Chinhoyi Trio Arrested In A Trap Selling Live Pangolin_New Zimbabwe.pdf | 519.09 KB |
Volgens die weeklikse wildmisdaadverslag vanaf 20 tot 26 Julie van die Namibiese polisie en die ministerie van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, is twee verdagtes in verband met renosterstropery of horingsmokkelary in hegtenis geneem. Mnre. Murumbua Vetjesavi en Richard Kandjii is by Otjondjeka in hegtenis geneem en beslag is op twee renosterhorings en 'n voertuig gelê.
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NAM_2020-07_Drie vas oor horings_Republikein.pdf | 321.41 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Three arrested for rhino horn_ivory_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 322.38 KB |
"They just get out on bail and do it again" - this is a widespread public sentiment regarding crime in Namibia, and wildlife crime in particular. There are many misconceptions about law enforcement and the judiciary. Bail is just one of them. At the end of 2019, the number of suspects out on bail amounted to less than 20% for all crimes related to high-value wildlife (pangolin, elephant, rhinos).
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NAM_2020-07_Wildlife Crime and the Law_The Namibian.pdf | 985.42 KB |
A 53-year-old villager from Dete in Matabeleland North has appeared in court for unlawful possession of four elephant tusks. Similo Vundla of Mambanje village under Chief Nekatambe was arrested by an anti-poaching team in March.
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ZIM_2020-07_Illegal elephant tusks_Journal of African Elephants.pdf | 398.68 KB |
A 53-year-old villager from Dete in Matabeleland North has appeared in court for unlawful possession of four elephant tusks.
Thirteen suspects have been arrested for wildlife crimes and six new cases were opened within the past two weeks. A total of 19 illegal wildlife products were confiscated in these crimes, according to information provided by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resource division within the safety and security ministry. Five vehicles were also seized.
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NAM_2020-07_13 arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 287.08 KB |
B2Gold Corp. is pleased to announce the launch of its Namibian Rhino Gold Bar campaign in North America to help support the conservation and protection of the critically endangered black rhinos, and the communitybased rhino rangers and trackers who protect the rhinos, in Namibia, Southern Africa.
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NAM_2020-07_B2Gold Announces the Launch of its Namibian Rhino Gold Bar Campaign.PDF | 1.06 MB |
Es wurden sechs neue Fälle von Wildtierkriminalität und 13 Verhaftungen in diesem Zusammenhang für die vergangene Woche registriert.
Six new wildlife crime cases and 13 related arrests have been recorded for the past week.
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NAM_2020-07_Erneute Faelle von Wilderei_Allgemeine Zeitung.pdf | 331.35 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Repeated cases of poaching_Allgemeine Zeitung_Eng.pdf | 326.52 KB |
Een verdagte, mnr. Matheus Mukoya Katjire, is verlede Woensdag op Divundu in verband met olifantstropery of ivoorsmokkelary vasgetrek en twee olifanttande is gekonfiskeer.
A suspect, Mr. Matheus Mukoya Katjire, was arrested last Wednesday on Divundu in connection with elephant poaching or ivory smuggling and two elephant tusks were confiscated.
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NAM_2020-07_Drie vas oor renosterhorings_Republikein.pdf | 321.68 KB |
NAM_2020-07_Three arrested for rhino hornsand ivory_Republikein_Eng.pdf | 226.14 KB |
'n Man met dubbele burgerskap en twee identiteite wat met die rooftog van 33 renosterhorings uit 'n kluis in 'n huis op Outjo in September 2019 verbind word, is in Februarie by die Suid-Afrikaanse grenspos, Vioolsdrift, met twee renosterhorings vasgetrek.
A man with dual citizenship and two identities connected to the robbery of 33 rhino horns from a safe in a house on Outjo in September 2019, was arrested at the South African border post, Vioolsdrift, in February with two rhino horns.
Gunshot technology ShotSpotter is being used to deter rhino poaching in Kruger National Park, helping authorities reduce unsanctioned killings by 60% inside the park’s Intensified Protection Zone (IPZ). South Africa, which holds nearly 80% of the world's rhinos, has been the country hit hardest by poaching criminals, with more than 1 000 rhinos killed each year between 2013 and 2017. Kruger is a critical poaching area.
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SA_2020-07_Gunshot tech helps Kruger Park reduce rhino poaching_ITWeb.pdf | 175.31 KB |
In all, 11 nationals, including firearm suppliers, poachers and game vendors, were arrested last week in Luengue-Luiana National Park, Cuando Cubango province.
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ANG_2020-07_Dismantled poaching net and weapon snipers_Provinces_Jornal de Angola_Online.pdf | 244.75 KB |
The Director of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) Brigadier Peter Magosi has defended government’s decision to dehorn Botswana’s rhinos as an anti-poaching control measure. Magosi has said the dehorning of rhinos was the only way they could ensure protection of the animals from poachers.
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BOT_2020-07_Its better to show tourists a dehorned rhino than nothing at all_Magosi_Sunday Standard.pdf | 197.57 KB |
A self-styled 'prophet' who has been in police custody for the past two months after being arrested on charges of rhino poaching and dealing in or possessing two rhino horns, is planning to apply for bail this week. Jackson Babi, who uses the title 'prophet' and is the founder of the House of Joy Ministries evangelical religious group in Windhoek, will launch a bail application in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Thursday, defence lawyer Kadhila Amoomo informed magistrate Linus Samunzala during a court appearance by Babi and a co-accused, Frizans Naululu Dumeni, on Friday…
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NAM_2020-07_From The Courts_E_magistrate lied at bail hearing_The Namibian.pdf | 458.35 KB |
The self-proclaimed prophet Jackson Babi (30) and his co-accused Frizans Naululu Dumeni (25) have approached the court to be released on bail. They appeared before Magistrate Linus Samunzala in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Friday. The court gallery was packed to the rafters with Babi’s supporters. The court scheduled their bail hearing to 30 July, further issuing an order to have the two accused transferred from the Dordabis police station to the Windhoek police station for their bail hearing.
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NAM_2020-07_Incarcerated prophet appeals for bail_New Era.pdf | 431.85 KB |
Intelligence Support Against Poaching (ISAP) recently held a course on how to handle a poaching scene correctly. The animal crime scene and evidence handling course took place from 16 to 19 July, and was presented by Wildlife Vets Namibia. Participants included veterinarians, lodge managers, wildlife farmers, members of crime prevention forums, hunting farm owners, students and representatives of the tourism industry.
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NAM_2020-07_Securing a poaching scene_Namibian Sun.pdf | 420.05 KB |
Ten suspects were arrested recently in connection with wildlife crimes and four new cases have been registered. Seven of the suspects were arrested for elephant poaching or trafficking cases, while another suspect was arrested in connection with a rhino poaching case.
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NAM_2020-07_10 arrested for wildlife crimes_Namibian Sun.pdf | 297.56 KB |