By Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, August 14 – The concerning increase in poaching cases highlights the growing trend of wildlife crime turning into a profitable business for some members of the community. The poaching activities have expanded beyond mere meat consumption, with animals being targeted for various reasons. Elephants are poached for their ivory, tigers for their skins and bones, and numerous other species are also being overexploited.
Despite substantial efforts by the government and private organizations, which have invested millions to protect wildlife, rampant poaching incidents persist across the country. In February 2023, the Namibian government disclosed that rhino poaching had reached a record high in 2022, soaring by 93 percent compared to 2021. The toll stood at 87 rhinos killed in 2022—61 black rhinos and 26 white rhinos—compared to 45 in the previous year.
A significant portion of the reported poaching occurrences have been concentrated in Etosha, Namibia’s largest national park. In various other regions of the country, poaching for meat products remains a continuing concern. Well-funded criminal syndicates are often behind these efforts, with some successfully bribing individuals tasked with protecting wildlife to gain specialized information. Despite the presence of heavily armed forces in places like Etosha, the poaching of rhinos has, at times, escalated, raising questions about the effectiveness of protective measures.
In the Zambezi Region, two government employees were recently apprehended over the weekend for possession of game meat, unlicensed firearms, and ammunition, among other charges. The duo is expected to appear today in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court. -Namibia Daily News
