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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 1 - 50 of 74
Wednesday, 31 January 2024
South African Police Service (SAPS) 2024. Three suspects fatally wounded in a shootout with police.

Three suspects were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police in the early hours of Wednesday, 31 January 2024. Police received intelligence that a group involved in serious crimes including murders committed in the Inanda area were hiding at the Lungelani Informal Settlement in La Mercy. A team comprising of various police disciplines including members of the Hawks descended on the location. Realising that they were surrounded, the suspects opened fire at the police and a shootout ensued.

Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Bloch S 2024. Police arrest six suspected rhino poachers in Limpopo and Gauteng; recover horns, guns and ammunition.

Police arrest six suspected rhino poachers in Limpopo and Gauteng; recover horns, guns and ammunition.

Tuesday, 30 January 2024
2024. Katima Mulilo Court trials for elephant tusk possession.

Katima Mulilo - Three individuals, Nyambe Calvin Matomola, John Mwelwa, and Nziye Lusinyize, have been brought before the Katima Mulilo Magistrate's Court for alleged possession of controlled wildlife products. The trio was apprehended with a total of 39 elephant tusks, leading to their court appearance on Tuesday. Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, revealed that Matomola, along with seven Zambian nationals, was caught with 24 tusks after smuggling them into Namibia via the Zambezi Region.

Tuesday, 30 January 2024
2024. Three found with a live pangolin, held.

Two businessmen and a farmer of Lusaka have been taken to court for illegal possession of a live pangolin, one of the most tracked mammal in the world, valued at over K23, 000. Pangolin meat is considered a delicacy, while their scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine as they are believed to treat a range of ailments from asthma to rheumatism and arthritis.

Monday, 29 January 2024
2024. Harsh jail sentences way to end war on rhino poaching.

It's not rocket science. Harsher sentences - both locally and abroad - need to be dished out to those who poach rhinos for their horns, or smuggle those horns to other countries. The South African government reported 448 rhinos were killed across the country in 2022 - just three fewer than the previous year. It's welcoming to hear a Singapore court on Friday sentenced Gumede Sthembiso Joel, a 33- year-old South African man, to two years in jail for smuggling rhino horns. It was the heaviest sentence handed down by the city state for trafcking wildlife parts.

Monday, 29 January 2024
Marais R 2024. Illegal perlemoen trade booming despite anti-poaching efforts.

One of Algoa Bay’s most valuable resources is being poached and plundered at an alarming rate. Nelson Mandela Bay has experienced a string of perlemoen-related incidents over the past few days, with experts in the field saying the illegal trade of this protected shellfish is now at an all-time high.

Tuesday, 23 January 2024
2024. No trade, no killing - An evaluation of China's ivory ban on elephant poaching.
The debate on whether legalization or prohibition is more effective in conserving species and curbing illicit black-market trade remains controversial, with insufficient evidence available. Here we investigate the effects of China's ivory ban on elephant poaching. We find that the enaction of the total ivory ban corresponds with a sharp 50% decrease in poaching and a significant reduction of the number of seizure cases.
Friday, 19 January 2024
2024. Mozambican national arrested for wildlife tracking: A global challenge.

In a crucial operation towards wildlife protection, a Mozambican national has been arrested at Namwera, Mangochi, charged with the illegal possession of a protected wildlife species. The arrest, a serious violation of section 110(b) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, signifies the ongoing fight against wildlife trafficking, a crime increasingly crossing national boundaries and threatening global biodiversity. Caught in the act was 26-year-old Moses Paul Banda, a Mozambican citizen.

Friday, 19 January 2024
2024. Police arrest two men with rhino horns after highspeed car chase.

Two men are expected to appear in the Vryheid magistrate's court after they were arrested with two rhino horns and a rie hidden in their car's engine compartment. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lt-Col Nqobile Gwala said ofcers acted on information about the suspects and spotted their vehicle on the R34 travelling towards Vryheid and a high-speed chase ensued.

Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Mangirazi N 2024. Zimbabwe: Trio arrested for poaching.
Three Hurungwe men who captured themselves on camera killing an elephant using traditional weapons and dogs yesterday appeared before Kariba magistrate accused of hunting or removing any animal or part of the animal in a safari area without a permit. Francis Chigomararwa (30), Simeon Kezias (23) and Arthur Murimbika (24) all from Nyamakate area are also facing another charge of killing a buffalo.The accused were unlucky when a video went viral of them killing an elephant after setting their dogs on it before attacking it using spears and axes.
Tuesday, 16 January 2024
Ombati C 2024. Policeman among two arrested with elephant tusks in Nairobi.

The police constable and a civilian had been arrested in Nairobi West and Eastleigh with the cargo on Sunday. They had tried to sell the trophies to Kenya Wildlife Service ocials who had posed as potential buyers.

Tuesday, 16 January 2024
Mangirazi N 2024. Trio arrested for poaching.

Three Hurungwe men who captured themselves on camera killing an elephant using traditional weapons and dogs yesterday appeared before Kariba magistrate accused of hunting or removing any animal or part of the animal in a safari area without a permit. Francis Chigomararwa (30), Simeon Kezias (23) and Arthur Murimbika (24) all from Nyamakate area are also facing another charge of killing a buffalo.The accused were unlucky when a video went viral of them killing an elephant after setting their dogs on it before attacking it using spears and axes.

Monday, 15 January 2024
Smit E 2024. SRT volg eenvoudige benadering tot stropery.
Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) Namibia se benadering tot renosterstropery het die konvensionele militêre styl-taktiek vir renosterbeskerming uitgedaag, wat in baie gevalle die gaping tussen plaaslike mense en renosters vererger het. Dié konvensionele taktieke teen stropery beskou en teiken plaaslike mense as deel van die probleem, het SRT in sy nuwe strategiese plan vir 2023-’28 gesê. SRT het gesê die organisasie het dus 'n uiters eenvoudige, maar doeltreffende benadering gevolg deur gerespekteerde plaaslike mense in diens te neem om hul vaardighede in te span.
Monday, 15 January 2024
Smit E 2024. SRT challenges military-style approach to poaching.
The Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) Namibia approach to rhino poaching has challenged the conventional military-style rhino protection tactics that, in many cases, exacerbate the divide between local people and rhinos. "These conventional anti-poaching regimes perceive and target local people as part of the problem," said SRT Namibia in its new strategic plan for 2023 to 2028. SRT said it has therefore taken on a highly simple but effective approach by employing local residents to harness their unrivalled skills.
Friday, 12 January 2024
Moser K 2024. Diebstähle bei Farmen um Outjo.

Bei Outjo mehren sich weiterhin die Vorfälle von Kriminalität auf Farmen. Wie Rolf Wagner und Erika Zamzow von der Farm Moselle gegenüber der AZ berichteten, haben Unbekannte im vergangenen Dezember Solarinstallationen und Pumpen von fünf Wasserstellen der Farm gestohlen. Die Farm arbeite eng mit der Anti-Wilderei-Einheit Nyime zusammen, die die Diebe "über fast 30 Kilometer bis zur Teerstraße Outjo-Khorixas verfolgt" hätten. Die Diebe seien nicht gefasst, aber nahezu alle gestohlenen Teile sichergestellt worden.

Thursday, 11 January 2024
Smit E 2024. Nashornschutz auf andere Weise.
Konventionelle militärische Taktiken können nicht die einzige Lösung zum Schutz der Nashörner sein - davon ist der Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) Namibia überzeugt. Denn diese verschärften in vielen Fällen die Kluft zwischen der lokalen Bevölkerung und den Nashörnern nur weiter, so SRT in seinem neuen Strategieplan für 2023 bis 2028. SRT hat daher einen anderen, effektiven Ansatz gewählt, indem es lokale Einheimische einstellt, um deren einzigartigen Kenntnisse zu nutzen. Dazu gehören traditionelle Fährtenlesetechniken sowie Kenntnisse über die Landschaft und das Verhalten der Tiere.
Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Bause T 2024. Beweerde stropery in Namib-Naukluft.

Die 49-jarige Leon Schiffer het Maandag in die landdroshof op Maltahöhe verskyn. Hy word van stropery in die Namib-Naukluft Nasionale Park (in die Sesriem-distrik) aangekla. Luidens verlede naweek se polisieverslag is Schiffer op 5 Januarie omstreeks 10:00 saam met nog 'n verdagte (32) in hegtenis geneem - volgens inligting van die landdroskantoor in Maltahöhe was dit 'n sekere "Gariseb". Die twee het glo nege gemsbokke gestroop.

Friday, 5 January 2024
Bause T 2024. Venasha, die renoster blom.

Dit gaan baie goed met Venasha, die renosterkalfie wat in Oktober 2022 by die Rhino Momma-projek aangekom het, nadat sy deur haar ma verwerp is. Volgens Juliette Erdtsieck, haar versorger van die afgelope 19 maande, bly Venasha onder meer saam met drie renosterkoeie en hul kalwers in 'n kamp. "Sy word nou regtig baie groot en is 'n regte renoster! Sy het op 26 November haar laaste bottel melk gekry en aan die einde van die jaar is sy na die groot kamp verskuif," sê Juliette. Die Rhino Momma-projek in Namibië het in 2022 in een maand twee wees-renosterkalfies gekry.

Tuesday, 2 January 2024
2024. Botswana, Namibia in joint elephant poaching investigation.

Botswana and Namibia have embarked on a joint investigation into the increased incidents of elephant poaching in the northern part of Botswana. "The country (Botswana) experienced a surge in elephant poaching incidents during November and December 2023," Lesego Kgomanyane, the spokesperson for Botswana's Ministry of Environment and Tourism, told Xinhua over the telephone, noting that the development has shone the light on the apparent increase in poaching of elephants in northern Botswana.

Friday, 29 September 2023
McCann G 2023. Vietnamese syndicates wiping out African megafauna.

Vietnamese syndicates play an outsized, sophisticated role in the illicit trade of elephant ivory, rhinoceros horn, pangolin scales, and other wildlife products, according to a recent undercover investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency that details sourcing, packing, and transporting ivory and rhino horn through an intricate maze of transport routes out of various African ports to Malaysia, then through Laos, and finally overland into Vietnam. The numbers are staggering.

Friday, 29 September 2023
2023. Man jailed five years for unlawful possession of Ivory.

The Itezhi -Tezhi Magistrates' Court in Southern Province has convicted and slapped a five year jail sentence with hard labour on a 51-year-old man for being found in possession of Ivory. Particulars were Shamazongo on 15th September 2023, in Itezhi -Tezhi had in his possession a prescribed trophy namely 10.4 kilograms of Ivory without a certificate of authority from the Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

Thursday, 28 September 2023
Dube S 2023. Mozambican national sentenced to 10 years for killing a rhino in Kruger National Park.

A Mozambican national has been sentenced to ten years behind bars for killing a rhino at Kruger National Park in Skukuza while serving another jail sentence for a similar offence. The Skukuza Regional Court has sentenced a Mozambican national, Lucky Mabunda, 47, to 10 years of direct imprisonment for killing a rhino in Skukuza National Park in 2019.

Thursday, 28 September 2023
Rondganger L 2023. R155 billion a year! The cost of organised crime as South Africa becomes a haven for mafia-style networks.

R155 billion!

Thursday, 28 September 2023
Duba S 2023. Wildlife Crime: Northern Cape man fined R50,000 for trading in pangolin skin.

A Northern Cape man found with a pangolin skin at a truck stop on the N14 Road in Upington was sentenced to a fine of R50,000. Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said that Zandray Dawids, 40, was arrested in January 2021 after being found with pangolin skin at a truck stop on N14 Road in Upington.

Wednesday, 27 September 2023
2023. Self-styled prophet arrested for python skin.

Policw in Harare on Sunday arrested a self-styled prophet for possessing a three-metre long python skin.

Tuesday, 26 September 2023
Du Plessis Y 2023. Perde opgesaal vir renosterbewaring.

Vanjaar is 39 renosters tot dusver in Namibië gestroop, vergeleke met 92 in 2022 en 50 in 2021. Die minister van die omgewing, bosbou en toerisme, Pohamba Shifeta, het hierdie syfers gedeel by die herdenking van Wêreldrenosterdag Vrydag by Okaukuejo in die Etosha Nasionale Park. By die geleentheid het die minister ook amptelik 'n perde-teenstropingseenheid van stapel gestuur. Die ministerie het altesaam 13 perde teen N$10 000 elk gekoop, met finansieringshulp van die Wildprodukte- rustfonds.

Tuesday, 26 September 2023
Nzangaya A 2023. Two arrested for possessing dead pangolin in Blantyre.

Police at Chileka in Blantyre District have arrested two men for allegedly being found in possession of a dead pangolin. According to Sergeant Jonathan Phillipo who is Chileka police public relations officer, the suspects have been identified as Vincent McLoud, 23, and Noah Mgawa Nikolasi, 55. Sergeant Phillipo said Chileka Police Detectives arrested the two on Monday September 25, 2023 at Puli Village following a tip-off by well-wishers.

Monday, 25 September 2023
Reiter C 2023. Welt-Nashorn-Tag begangen.

Für die Erhaltung und den Schutz der Nashörner führt das Ministerium laut Pohamba daher den Einsatz einer Pferdeeinheit ein. Insgesamt 13 Pferde wurden vom Ministerium mit finanzieller
Unterstützung des "Game Product Trust Fund" für jeweils 10 000 N$ gekauft. Demnach werden
acht Pferde im Etosha-Nationalpark stationiert sein und fünf im Waterberg-Plateau-Park.

Monday, 25 September 2023
2023. Anti-poaching drive beefed up with introduction of rhino management plans and horse patrols.

The anti-poaching drive was strengthened with the recent launch of two Rhino Management plans and a horse patrol unit last week at the Etosha National Park on Friday. Speaking at the commemoration of World Rhino Day, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Pohamba Shifeta said the day is dedicated to raising awareness about the threats that the rhino population is facing and how the world can come together and protect these endangered species.

Monday, 25 September 2023
Smit E 2023. Horses roped into rhino protection fight.

This year, 39 rhinos have been poached so far in Namibia, compared to 92 in 2022 and 50 in 2021. Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta presented these figures at the commemoration of World Rhino Day on Friday at Okaukuejo in Etosha National Park. At the event, the minister also officially launched a horse anti-poaching unit. A total of 13 horses have been purchased by the ministry for N$10 000 each, with funding support from the Game Product Trust Fund.

Monday, 25 September 2023
2023. Namibia steps up anti-poaching efforts.

Namibia strengthened its anti-poaching drive by launching two rhino preservation plans and a horse patrol unit at the country's Etosha National Park on Friday. Speaking at the commemoration of World Rhino Day, which falls on 22 September every year, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta said the day is dedicated to raising awareness of the threats facing the rhino population, and how the world can come together to protect these endangered species.

Monday, 25 September 2023
McCain N 2023. Pangolins, rescued from poachers, are being given a second chance in SA game reserves.

After weeks of being kept in cramped spaces, deprived of food and water, many pangolins rescued from the illegal wildlife trade don't survive. But those who survive are given a second chance at some of South Africa's private game reserves, including &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. Since 2019, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve has successfully reintroduced several pangolins onto its property, with a number of them having bred and produced a second generation of these endangered animals.

Sunday, 24 September 2023
Lazarus S 2023. Environment Ministry ups fights against rhino poaching.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has launched a new initiative to fight against rhino poaching. Speaking at the launch of the initiative, which coincided with the commemoration of the World Rhino Day hosted at Okaukejo over the weekend, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said Namibia has the second-largest white Rhino population in the world after South Africa and the largest population of black Rhinos in the world. However, Shifeta said that rhinos have become an endangered species, and, in some areas, they have even become extinct…

Saturday, 23 September 2023
2023. Shifeta introduces horse patrols to combat rhino poaching.

Shifeta said that Namibia still experiences illegal hunting of rhinos as well as illegal trade in rhino horns. "The greatest threat to the rhino population is illegal hunting. This year, (39) rhinos have been poached in Namibia, compared to (92) in 2022, (50) in 2021, (47) in 2020, and (61) in 2019," Shifeta said. 

Saturday, 23 September 2023
2023. Poaching of lions for their body parts continues to increase in SA.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) says the targeted poaching of lions for parts, including bones, has been increasing in some regions in southern Africa, and this, if unmitigated, could potentially cause future local population declines.

Friday, 22 September 2023
2023. Bewaffnete Wilderer bei Outjo.

Die Meldungen von Wildereivorfällen auf namibischen Farmen reißen nicht ab. Jüngst berichtete die Farm Moselle bei Outjo von einem Wilderer, der sich wiederholt bewaffnet auf der Farm aufhält und wildert. Nach Überzeugung der Farmbesitzer handelt es sich bei dem Verdächtigen um einen ehemaligen Farmarbeiter, den sie vor einigen Jahren wegen unangebrachten und gefährlichen Verhaltens entlassen hätten.

Friday, 22 September 2023
2023. Mozambique: SERNIC arrests two for poaching.

Mozambique's National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) has arrested two people in Moatize district, in the central province of Tete, for attempting to sell a pangolin.

Friday, 22 September 2023
Moodley P 2023. 231 rhinos lost to poaching in SA this year, ongoing concerns on World Rhino Day.

South Africa has lost 231 rhinos to poaching since the beginning of the year.

Friday, 22 September 2023
Moodley P 2023. Researcher highlights continuous rhino onslaught in South Africa.

As the globe observes World Rhino Day, South Africa has lost 231 rhinos to poaching since the beginning of the year.

Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Gaveni K 2023. Five arrested for poaching.

Five men were arrested for poaching at Humani Ranch which led to the recovery of 15 kg of Impala meat and a live Pangolin. In a statement, police said: "The suspects are Peter Tendi (38), Innocent Manyezu (31), Michael Bishou (23), Hlanganayi Sithole (61)." The suspects were arrested on Monday following a tip-off. On 18/09/23, Police in Chipinge acted on received information and arrested Peter Tendi (38), Innocent Manyezu (31), Michael Bishou (23), Harunaishe Shuro (43), and Johnson Hlanganayi Sithole (61) in connection with poaching at Humani Ranch…

Wednesday, 20 September 2023
2023. Rhino poaching remains a challenge in SA and Africa.

As the international community marks World Rhino Day on Friday, South Africa and other parts of the African continent are still facing the challenge of rhino poaching. The International Rhino Foundation says poachers have shifted their focus from the larger rhino populations to smaller, and possibly more susceptible ones. In South Africa, poachers are focusing on smaller areas, like the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, which has borne the brunt of South Africa’s rhino poaching deaths in the past year. While Namibia, home to the…

Tuesday, 19 September 2023
Steffen F 2023. Red-breasted bee-eaters caught with nets in the north.

A media team from Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) during a visit to the area east of the road from Katima Mulilo to the border point at the Ngoma bridge and past the Nakabolelwa settlement en route to Impalila Island on the breeding area of the southern red-breasted bee-eater in the Kabulabula Conservation Area. The breeding area is strategically covered with nylon mesh in such a way that the birds become entangled in it when leaving or entering their nests.

Tuesday, 19 September 2023
Dance A 2023. Animal CSI: Forensics comes for the wildlife trade.

Campbell's death was as gruesome as the killers' previous nine known crimes. Found mutilated in a pool of blood at his home in the district of Albany, South Africa, in June 2016, Campbell had been drugged but was likely in pain before he died from his injuries. Campbell was a white rhinoceros living on a private reserve, and his killing would be the last hurrah of the now notorious Ndlovu Gang.

Tuesday, 19 September 2023
2023. Man to appear in court for possession of a pangolin.

A man arrested for the alleged possession of a pangolin is due to appear in court for bail. Kabelo Jantjies, 58, is facing a charge of possession of endangered species. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as the Hawks) said he was arrested in Setlagole outside Mahikeng in the North West province following a tip-off. Hawks spokesperson in the North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, said the information led members of the Mahikeng Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit to a house in Setlagole, where a search was…

Monday, 18 September 2023
Smit E 2023. Erneute Kaution für Lombaard.

Die Brüder Lombaard sind wegen mehrerer Vergehen im Zusammenhang mit illegalem Wildtransport angeklagt. Gegen Johan Lombaard, der jüngst auf Kaution freigelassen wurde, liegt nun noch ein ausstehender Haftbefehl vor, für den er wieder Kaution erhielt.

The Lombaard brothers are charged with several offenses related to illegal game transport. Johan Lombaard, who was recently released on bail, now has an outstanding arrest warrant for which he was granted bail again.

Monday, 18 September 2023
2023. SPCA cracks down on Illegal hunting.

The Bloemfontein SPCA recently attended to two instances of Illegal hunting in the district of Bothaville. According to the SPCA, the first of the two incidents took place on Sunday 10 September, where seven suspects were arrested, and 22 dogs were confiscated after multiple duikers were caught illegally.  "The incident was highly organised and showed signs of an active criminal organisation," said the SPCA. The second incident took place on 16 September where an additional four individuals were arrested, and two more dogs were confiscated after five…

Monday, 18 September 2023
Whitton J 2023. Rhino Poaching: Will it ever end?.

There are around 26 000 rhinos left in the world. 68% of those live in South Africa. By far the majority of them are Southern White Rhinos, which are particularly vulnerable to poaching, because most of them are found in the open Savannah of national parks, making them easy targets. There are four other remaining species of rhino. The Black Rhino, of which there are around 6000, is found in southern and east Africa. The other African species, the Northern White Rhino, is effectively extinct, as the two remaining are both female.

Friday, 15 September 2023
Smit E 2023. Lombaard arrested again.

Right after wildlife dealer Johan Lombaard was released on bail earlier this week, he was arrested again in connection with a case dating back to 2014. The 57-year-old appeared in the Gobabis Magistrate's Court on Wednesday for the illegal capture and transport of game to the value of N$817 000. He and his co- accused, his brother Johannes Jacobus Lombaaard (54) and Rudie Kotze (49), were granted N$50 000 bail each. The Lombaard brothers established Golden Game, a wildlife farming, capturing and export business in Mariental.…

Thursday, 14 September 2023
Zhakata I, Freddy T 2023. Courts intensify fight against wildlife crimes.

The courts have intensified the fight to combat breaches of wildlife laws with the Harare Magistrates Court dedicating Court 5 to deal with such issues, acting Deputy Prosecutor General Mr Michael Reza said yesterday. He told the Zimbabwe Animal Law conference in Harare yesterday that since the beginning of the year, nine cases have been completed while 12 new cases have been recorded. From January 2020 to date, 45 cases involving breaches of the parks and wildlife law have been prosecuted at the Harare Magistrates Court, and Mr …

Tuesday, 12 September 2023
Mpofu J 2023. Gold panner up for poaching.

A 26-year-old gold panner from village 8, Inyathi, Matabeleland North province has appeared at the Bulawayo Magistrates Courts for killing a kudu valued at US$1 500.

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