Last year ended with one of the highest rhino poaching figures recorded in almost a decade.
A total of 77 rhinos were poached last year compared to 2021 when 45 rhinos were killed for their horns.
The figure of last year is the third highest recorded since 2013, only being surpassed by the 97 rhinos poached in 2015 and the 84 killed by poachers in 2018.
This is according to the latest statistics issued by the environment and tourism ministry.
Further statistics indicate that 43 rhinos were poached in 2020, while 61 were killed in 2019, 55 in 2017, 66 in 2016, 56 in 2014 and 9 in 2013.
Meanwhile only four elephants were poached last year, compared to ten in 2021.
In 2020 a total of 12 elephants were poached while 13 elephants were killed by poachers in 2019, 27 in 2018, 50 in 2017, 101 in 2016, 49 in 2015 and 78 in 2014.
While the spokesperson of the ministry, Romeo Muyunda did not confirm whether there have been any poaching incidents already this year, police reports indicates that their have been attempts in Etosha National Park.
According to a recent police report, a 28-year-old suspect from the Okangwati area was arrested in Etosha for conspiring to poach a rhino.
The incident took place between 4 and 6 January at the west side of Etosha and the suspect was found with five rounds of live rounds of ammunition.
The arrest was made following suspected poachers and intelligence-led information.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that suspects entered Etosha with the intention to hunt and search for a rhino and kill it to remove the rhino horns for trading purpose.”
He was charged with conspiring to hunt specially protected game, possession of a fire arm without a licence or valid document, possession of ammunition without a valid document, entering Etosha without a valid permit and conveying a weapon into Etosha without a valid permit or document.
At the end of last year November the ministry said that a total of 106 suspects have been arrested for poaching to date.
Out of those suspects arrested 44 were for were arrested for rhino poaching and 62 suspects for elephant poaching.
Muyunda at that time said that it is disturbing to note that out of the total 93 suspects are Namibians, who in their view should be at the forefront of the fright against poaching.
Other suspects include 8 Angolans and 7 Zambians.
With the surge of poaching in 2014, numerous interventions have been put in place across the country under the leadership of the ministry to fight wildlife crime. Wildlife crime threatens not only the survival of the species, but the reputation of the country’s conservation, socio-economic and tourism development,” said Muyunda.
The rhino poaching situation requires the involvement of all stakeholders especially members of the public, reporting suspected perpetrators to the authorities.
A total of 77 rhinos were poached last year compared to 2021 when 45 rhinos were killed for their horns.
The figure of last year is the third highest recorded since 2013, only being surpassed by the 97 rhinos poached in 2015 and the 84 killed by poachers in 2018.
This is according to the latest statistics issued by the environment and tourism ministry.
Further statistics indicate that 43 rhinos were poached in 2020, while 61 were killed in 2019, 55 in 2017, 66 in 2016, 56 in 2014 and 9 in 2013.
Meanwhile only four elephants were poached last year, compared to ten in 2021.
In 2020 a total of 12 elephants were poached while 13 elephants were killed by poachers in 2019, 27 in 2018, 50 in 2017, 101 in 2016, 49 in 2015 and 78 in 2014.
While the spokesperson of the ministry, Romeo Muyunda did not confirm whether there have been any poaching incidents already this year, police reports indicates that their have been attempts in Etosha National Park.
According to a recent police report, a 28-year-old suspect from the Okangwati area was arrested in Etosha for conspiring to poach a rhino.
The incident took place between 4 and 6 January at the west side of Etosha and the suspect was found with five rounds of live rounds of ammunition.
The arrest was made following suspected poachers and intelligence-led information.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that suspects entered Etosha with the intention to hunt and search for a rhino and kill it to remove the rhino horns for trading purpose.”
He was charged with conspiring to hunt specially protected game, possession of a fire arm without a licence or valid document, possession of ammunition without a valid document, entering Etosha without a valid permit and conveying a weapon into Etosha without a valid permit or document.
At the end of last year November the ministry said that a total of 106 suspects have been arrested for poaching to date.
Out of those suspects arrested 44 were for were arrested for rhino poaching and 62 suspects for elephant poaching.
Muyunda at that time said that it is disturbing to note that out of the total 93 suspects are Namibians, who in their view should be at the forefront of the fright against poaching.
Other suspects include 8 Angolans and 7 Zambians.
With the surge of poaching in 2014, numerous interventions have been put in place across the country under the leadership of the ministry to fight wildlife crime. Wildlife crime threatens not only the survival of the species, but the reputation of the country’s conservation, socio-economic and tourism development,” said Muyunda.
The rhino poaching situation requires the involvement of all stakeholders especially members of the public, reporting suspected perpetrators to the authorities.
