Monday, 30 September 2024
2024. Kudu meat and illegal firearm land man behind bars.A 47-year-old resident of Onamishu village in the Oshikoto Region was recently arrested by the police after he was allegedly found in possession of 100 kilograms of dried kudu meat. The meat was discovered in his shebeen, and law enforcement officers said that his intention was to secretly take the meat to a market outside Onamishu for sale. It is further alleged that he was found in possession of a shotgun and respective ammunition, which the police suspect was used in the illegal hunting of the kudu.
Friday, 27 September 2024
2024. Kruger rhino poachers sentenced to 20 years each.Two former Kruger National Park field rangers were sentenced to 20 years' direct imprisonment each for rhino poaching. The Skukuza Regional Court secured the win for this near-extinct species on Friday, September 27, when it handed down sentences to Lucky Mkanzi (30) and Nzima Joel Sihlangu (32).
Friday, 27 September 2024
Menges W 2024. Kunene conservancies, tourism company fail with urgent case over mining in rhino area.A case in which two Kunene conservancies, a traditional authority and a tourism company tried to get a court order to stop mining activities and the construction of a road in their area is not urgent, a judge ruled in the Windhoek High Court on Friday. Judge Orben Sibeya ruled that an application filed by the Doro !Nawas and Ûibasen Twyfelfontein conservancies, the ≠Aodaman Traditional Authority and the company, Ultimate Safaris, two weeks ago does not meet the requirements to be heard as an urgent matter.
Friday, 27 September 2024
Johannes E-R 2024. Living large - african elephants.However, due to long periods of over-hunting and poaching their meat (subsistence poaching) and ivory tusks, that number declined significantly across the continent between the 70s and 80s. It’s reported that an average of 100 000 elephants were killed each year during that time, and by 2016, experts estimated a drop in those numbers by 111 000 within a decade. Today, there are only 415 000 elephants across Africa, with Botswana being home to the world's largest elephant population.
Friday, 27 September 2024
2024. Environmental Court: Cracking down on eco-crime.Wildlife crime remains an international conservation management issue that threatens ecotourism, ecological balance and biodiversity. The industry of illegal hunting and trade in wildlife and wildlife products is estimated to be worth US$50-US$150 billion per annum, according to the United Nations Environment Programme, and continues to pose a threat towards globally-endangered wildlife species. The escalation of wildlife crime also threatens national and local economies, the criminal justice and security systems, and public health.
Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Stoddard E 2024. Loaded for Bear: SA's white rhino population on the rebound despite poaching - thanks to private sector."White rhino populations in South Africa are on the rise despite poaching," the report says. Curiously, the report does not mention private ownership of the species, which has been one of the driving forces behind this trend. The report notes that by 2012, there were more than 21,000 white rhinos on the planet, capping a remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction. A century earlier, there were fewer than 100.
Monday, 23 September 2024
2024. Rhino dehorning is not the answer to poaching problem.Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, says he believes that dehorning rhinos is not necessarily the answer to the poaching problem. Singh has expressed his concerns about continued rhino poaching in the country. This comes as the globe marked World Rhino Day yesterday. The day highlights the global effort to protect and raise awareness about rhino conservation and the threats they face. Singh says more can still be done.
Monday, 23 September 2024
Habanyane K 2024. Only 16 000 rhinos left in South Africa - Rhino Foundation.According to the International Rhino Foundation, the largest population of rhinos in the world is found in South Africa. Only 16 056 rhinos are left in South Africa, but not nearly enough to save the species from endangerment. 'World Rhino Day' is commemorated annually on September 22 to continue to raise awareness about rhino poaching across the globe. Due to ongoing poaching, the number of rhinos continues to get lower. KwaZulu-Natal has the highest number of poaching cases with 145 rhinos poached from January to June this year alone.
Monday, 23 September 2024
Smit E 2024. Conservation areas feel betrayed by Environment Commissioner.Two communal conservation areas near Khorixas feel betrayed by the decision of the environment ministry to allow mining activities in a joint management area where rhinos are threatened. The conservation areas of Doro ! Nawas and Ûibasen Twyfelfontein recently succeeded in obtaining a court order to stop road construction activities related to mining claims within their nuclear rhino conservation area.
Sunday, 22 September 2024
Steynberg F 2024. Black rhino bull poached at Otavi.A black rhino bull was poached from a farm in the Otavi district of the Otjozondjupa region between last Monday and Saturday. According to the Namibian police's weekly crime report, the carcass of the rhinoceros was discovered with the horns removed from the bull.
Friday, 20 September 2024
Johannes E-R 2024. Beyond the horn.In Namibia, despite famed conservation efforts, close to 300 rhinos have been poached over the past 4 years (2020 to 2023), according to wildlife reports from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
Friday, 20 September 2024
Smit E 2024. Mines in the nature reserve?.The Doro ! Nawas and Ûibasen Twyfelfontein recently obtained a court order to halt road construction work for planned mining operations to protect rhinos in their area. They are supported by the traditional authority Aodaman and Ultimate Safaris, a tourism partner, in their lawsuit against mining entrepreneurs Ottillie Ndimulunde and Timoteus Mashuna. The lawsuit is also directed against the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Mines, the Commissioner for the Environment and the Commissioner for Mines.
Thursday, 19 September 2024
Cohan M 2024. Angola nearly lost its national animal to poaching. Here's how a team of dedicated conservationists brought it back.The disappearance of the giant sable: The giant sable antelope was first discovered in the early 20th century and went on to become Angola’s national animal. However, due to their striking horns, the antelopes soon became a target for poachers, says renowned Angolan conservationist Pedro Vaz Pinto. In 1975, their prospects took a turn for the worse when a civil war broke out in Angola following its independence from Portugal. Over the next 27 years, the conflict devastated the country's wildlife and the giant sable was no exception.
Wednesday, 18 September 2024
2024. Ultimate Safaris 'hiding behind rhinos to impoverish us'.On Monday, Khorixas pensioner Leonard Hoaeb contacted Namibian Sun to complain about a social media post the newspaper published pertaining to Ultimate Safaris, the Doro-Nawas and Uibasen-Twyfelfontein conservancies and the #Aodanam Traditional Authority appearing in court to fight the projects. "Ultimate Safaris is making millions from this area but we, the community, are getting nothing. They have 28 employees, while the mine will employ 140 employees in the first phase. Why can’t they co-exist?” he wanted to know.
Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Conniff R 2024. Namibia eats elephants, trades rhinos for tin.In the latest case, people living around the arid northern community of Khorixas looked out one morning last month to find a new road being bulldozed through an area they had been managing, together with the tourism company Ultimate Safaris and the nonprofit Save The Rhinos Trust, as habitat for black rhinos, an endangered species. The conservancies, together with the tourism company, went to court, alleging that the road, and mining project it will serve, showed up on the scene "without any consultation" with them.
Monday, 16 September 2024
Menges W 2024. Conservancies claim rhinos threatened by mining.Mining operations will pose a direct threat to critically endangered black rhinos in an area south-west of Khorixas. This is detailed in an urgent application filed at the Windhoek High Court by two communal conservancies, a traditional authority and a tourism operator. Black rhinos in the area will be under increased threat of poaching or migrate out of the area if plans to start mining operations go ahead, the Doro !Nawas and Ûibasen Twyfelfontein conservancies, the ≠Aodaman Traditional Authority and the company Ultimate Safaris claimed in an urgent application filed on Friday…
Tuesday, 10 September 2024
Kruger K 2024. Alleged habitual poacher shot, killed.An alleged habitual poacher was shot and killed over the weekend by a truck driver, whom he reportedly tried to rob. Ashley 'Luxman' Eiseb was allegedly shot at the Oosland abattoir in the Gobabis district last Friday after he smashed the window of a truck in an attempt to rob the driver. According to recent media reports, he was shot in the chest during the incident. He then fled in a vehicle with a group of other suspects, but the car ran out of fuel near Omitara. Three individuals were allegedly found with the vehicle.
Tuesday, 3 September 2024
Denker H 2024. Leopard shoting and the hunting dilemma.The Namibia Professional Hunting Association (Napha) has publicly emphasised the need to distinguish between illegal and ethical practices related to leopard hunting but has not clearly condemned the illegal activities that are being exposed by the media as well as being investigated by law enforcement and prosecuted in the courts. Behind the scenes, parts of the trophy sector are lobbying to legalise hunting with dogs and hunting at night.
Tuesday, 3 September 2024
Smit E 2024. Namibia scores extradition success.Namibia's recent success in returning a fugitive from South Africa to stand trial has underscored the importance of cooperating with Interpol to adhere to the complexities of the extradition process worldwide. The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol)'s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Windhoek focusses its global police cooperation activities around Namibia's crime areas of concern, including wildlife crime (particularly stock theft), drug crime, money-laundering, firearms’ trafficking and human trafficking. The Namibian Police (Nampol) uses its…
Tuesday, 3 September 2024
Mgunculu T 2024. Chinese national fined R250,000 for illegal possession of abalone.A Chinese national has been slapped with a R250,000 fine for illegal possession of abalone and for operating a fish processing establishment without a permit. Qing Yun Jiang, 58, was also handed a two-year sentence behind bars. He was arrested by sea border police in December 2022. The Wynberg magistrate's court sentenced him on Friday. Hawks' spokesperson, Lt-Col Siyabulela Vukubi said police found abalone worth about R3m when they searched premises in Mowbray, Cape Town. He said the matter was referred to the Hawks' economic protected resources unit for investigation.
Thursday, 29 February 2024
2024. Poaching increases in South Africa.Rhino poaching in South Africa rose by 10% in 2023 versus the previous year. While the numbers came as no surprise, it is a stark reminder that there is still a lot of work to do to overcome the rhino poaching crisis!
Thursday, 29 February 2024
Thornycroft P 2024. Scores of elephants killed in Botswana amid poaching surge.Scores of elephants have been killed for their ivory in Botswana in recent months as a southern African country once considered a sanctuary for wildlife has seen a surge in poaching. Poachers are thought to have killed at least 60 elephants in the past three months in the north of the country and in Chobe National Park, one of the world's top wildlife destinations. Gunmen are particularly targeting the few remaining "big tusker" elephants which have already been hunted to near-extinction.
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
2024. Livestock farmers lose N$14m to theft, drought.Livestock and game farmers have lost more than N$14 million worth of animals to predation, theft, drought-related illnesses and disasters, as well as property damage by problem animals. According to the latest issue of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) newsletter, a comprehensive analysis by the Livestock Producers' Organisation (LPO) reveals a staggering loss of N$14 399 440 stemming from only 1 248 reports from the organisation's members. "This represents a fraction of the total livestock sector.
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
2024. Nashorn-Wilderei in Südafrika merklich angestiegen.In Südafrika hat die Wilderei von Nashörnern merklich zugenommen. Im vergangenen Jahr seien 499 Breitmaul- und Spitzmaulnashörner illegal getötet worden, teilte das südafrikanische Umweltministerium am Dienstag mit. Dies sei ein Anstieg um 11 Prozent im Vergleich zu 2022, sagte Umweltministerin Barbara Creecy. Besonders stark betroffen sei die südöstliche Provinz KwaZulu-Natal, in der 325 Fälle registriert wurden, so die Ministerin. Hotspot sei der Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park der Provinz, wo 307 illegal getötete Nashörner entdeckt wurden.
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
2024. South African National Parks and Namibian Rangers unite against poaching.In a landmark display of cross-border cooperation, |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park Field Rangers from South Africa joined forces with their Namibian counterparts to conduct regular joint river patrol along the Orange River. This milestone collaboration marks a significant achievement following a three-year interruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The joint patrol, integral to the management of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (ARTP), aimed to address the rampant illegal gillnet activities that have been decimating fish populations in the area.
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
Steynberg F 2024. Vee- en wildboere ly reuse-verliese.'n Omvattende ontleding deur die Lewendehaweprodusenteorganisasie (LPO) toon verbysterende verliese van byna N$14,4 miljoen wat deur roofdiere, diefstal, droogte-verwante siektes en rampe asook probleemdiere in 2023 veroorsaak is. Hierdie astronomiese bedrag spruit uit slegs 1 248 voorvalle wat deur LPO-lede gerapporteer is, wat ‘n fraksie van die totale veesektor verteenwoordig, volgens die Namibië Landbou-unie (NLU). "Boere voel moedeloos omdat niks aan hul situasie gedoen word nie en daarom is die rapportering baie laag.
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
2024. KwaZulu-Natal carried the brunt of rhino poaching in 2023, says Creecy.During 2023, 499 rhinos were poached across South Africa, 406 were killed on state properties and 93 on privately owned parks/reserves/farms. This was an increase (of 51) in comparison to 448 rhinos poached in 2022.
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
2024. Rhino poaching in South Africa increases in 2023.South Africa recorded 499 rhinos poached in 2023, 51 more than the previous year, despite efforts to protect the animals, the government said on Tuesday. South Africa is home to nearly half of the critically-endangered black rhino population in Africa and to the world's largest population of near-threatened white rhinos. Rhinos are poached for their horns, which are used in east Asian countries for making traditional medicines and jewellery.
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
2024. Rhino poaching on the rise.A sobering statistic out of South Africa today as they report an increase in rhino poaching. Almost 500 rhinos were killed for their horn in 2023, more than 60% of those in just one state park. While Kruger National Park has successfully deployed layers of security measures to adapt to the poaching crisis, other Parks haven’t taken the necessary steps to date to prevent these devastating losses.
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
2024. South Africa sees marked rise in rhino poaching.The South African Environment Ministry said on Tuesday that the number of rhinos poached in the country had risen by more than 10% in 2023 compared with the previous year. International trade of rhino horn is prohibited but rhino horn continues to be smuggled to Asia, where it is highly valued, especially in Vietnam and China. How the figures broke down - The ministry said 499 black and white rhinoceroses were killed in 2023, mostly in state-run parks, compared with 448 the previous year.
Monday, 26 February 2024
Morris C 2024. Opportunity lost or covered - Nairobi court acquits Chinese national of wildlife trafficking.It could have been the proverbial pot of gold. Instead, it became at best, an opportunity lost in the fight against transnational organized wildlife crime. On February 2, a Nairobi area court acquitted Hoang Thi Diu, a female of apparent Vietnamese/Chinese dual citizenship, of charges relating to the dealing and possession of 145 kilograms of ivory, rhino horn, lion's teeth, and claws. Objectively, and considering the evidence before the court, the verdict was not incorrect.
Thursday, 22 February 2024
2024. Successful apprehension of abalone poachers at Smitswinkel Bay, Cape Town.The South African National Parks (SANParks) Environment Crime Investigation (ECI) Unit received tip-offs from the public about potential poaching activities at Smitswinkel Bay, Cape Town. A prompt response by the ECI, its Canine Unit and the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Marine Unit Rangers led to the apprehension of two suspected poachers who were found with a total of 291 units of abalone. The apprehended suspects were transported to the South African Police Services.
Tuesday, 20 February 2024
2024. Pangolins in danger of extinction.The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism says pangolins are in danger of extinction. This was revealed by executive director of environment, forestry and tourism Teofilus Nghitila on World Pangolin Day on Saturday. "While observing the day, the line ministry wishes to remind the public that our pangolins are in danger of extinction. These species continue to be illegally captured and are the most trafficked mammals since 2014," she said. Nghitila said the illegal capturing of pangolins is causing the local population to steeply decline, putting them at risk of extinction.
Monday, 19 February 2024
2024. Pangolins most trafficked mammals since 2014 - Ministry concerned over pervasive poaching.The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism in Namibia delivered a stark message on World Pangolin Day, shedding light on the alarming rise in illegal trafficking and poaching activities targeting pangolins. Teofilus Nghitila, the Ministerial Executive Director, expressed deep concern over the ongoing illegal capture of pangolins, highlighting them as the most trafficked mammals since 2014. "Unfortunately, this relentless exploitation has led to a steep decline in their population, pushing them perilously close to extinction," he emphasized.
Saturday, 17 February 2024
Moser K 2024. Namibia warns of rising pangolin trafficking on World Pangolin Day.Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism issued a warning on World Pangolin Day, exposing the extent of illegal trafficking and poaching activities targeting pangolins.
Friday, 9 February 2024
van der Walt I-M 2024. 'Gewoontestropers' vrygelaat.Die twee mans wat tereggestaan het op aanklagte van stropery, Hermanus Kharugab en Ashley Eiseb, is ingevolge 'n uitspraak in 'n hersieningsaansoek in die hoërhof in Windhoek vrygelaat. Eiseb, wat volgens 'n lid van die Nossob Misdaadvoorkomingsforum, 'n "groot probleem is", en Kharugab is in November verlede jaar in hegtenis geneem ná hulle glo 'n motor gehuur het om wild in die Okahandja-omgewing te stroop. Regters Boas Usiku en Naomi Shivute het die skuldigbevindings en vonnisse teen beide mans tersyde gestel en beveel dat hulle uit aanhouding vrygelaat moet word.
Friday, 9 February 2024
van der Walt I-M 2024. Judges order release of alleged poachers.Two men who stood trial on charges of poaching, Hermanus Kharugab and Ashley Eiseb, were released after a judgment review in the Windhoek High Court. Eiseb - who, according to a member of the Nossob Crime Prevention Forum, is a "big problem" - and Kharugab were arrested in November 2023 after they allegedly used a hired car to poach game in the Okahandja area.
Judges Boas Usiku and Naomi Shivute set aside the convictions and sentences against both men and ordered their release from custody.
Tuesday, 6 February 2024
Moser K 2024. Pangolinschmuggler festgesetzt.Die Polizei hat erneut eine Verhaftung wegen illegalen Handels mit Schuppentier-Produkten vermeldet. Eigenen Angaben zufolge setzten sie zwei Männer angolanischer Staatsbürgerschaft fest, die im Besitz von zwei Pangolin-Häuten und 57 Pangolin-Schuppen waren. Sie wurden am vergangenen Freitag bei Outapi festgenommen, nachdem sie die Produkte zwei verdeckten Polizisten zum Kauf angeboten hatten.
Police have again reported an arrest for illegal trafficking in pangolin products.