Namibia: Intensified Anti-Poaching Efforts Bear Results
Namibia: Intensified Anti-Poaching Efforts Bear Results
Arlana Shikongo, The Namibian via AllAfrica
July 22, 2021
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism says intensified efforts
against poaching and other wildlife crimes are bearing results as
law-enforcement agencies continue to wrangle poaching suspects.
This comes after four people were arrested in the Kamanjab area on Monday
after they were found with rhino horns.
"The discovery of these horns demonstrates consistency in law enforcement
against wildlife crimes. We congratulate the police and our staff members
on yet another successful discovery and arrest in this regard," environment
ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says.
Four people were recently arrested for allegedly being in possession of
rhino horns.
This incident involved men between the ages of 20 and 46, who were
travelling from Kamanjab to Opuwo.
Investigations to determine the value and origin of the horns are ongoing.
Muyunda says Namibia's intensified anti-poaching efforts to curb wildlife
crime have resulted in the arrest of suspects in every rhino poaching case.
"The continued arrests should serve as a warning to those intending to
commit similar crimes that there is no room for wildlife crimes in
Namibia," he says.
According to the ministry's weekly wildlife crime report, a total of eight
new cases were registered during the week of 12 to 18 July.
Ten suspects were arrested and charged during that week.
Among these suspects, two were arrested over elephant poaching and
trafficking cases.
The report detailed that seven elephant tusks, one impala carcass, two
python skins, one live pangolin, two crocodile skins, two warthog carcasses
and one oryx carcass were seized.
Furthermore, one wildlife crime case from April, involving one suspect who
was arrested for the illegal possession of and dealing in controlled
wildlife products, was finalised.
The suspect was apprehended for the possession of a python skin and
sentenced 18 months' imprisonment or a fine of N$6 000.