Security cluster to meet after 28 rhinos were poached this year – Windhoek Observer

Stefanus Nashama

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has recorded 28 cases of rhino poaching in Namibia this year so far.

Out of these 28 cases, 19 rhinos were poached in the Etosha National Park, and 10 carcasses of the animals were discovered during dehorning operations in March.

The Ministry’s spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, has expressed concern about the poaching situation in the Etosha National Park, which is a flagship tourist attraction in Namibia. The park has a high number of rhinos and other wildlife species.

“An assessment is being carried out in the Etosha National Park to establish the full extent of the problem,” he stated.

Muyunda added that the Ministry has called for an urgent high-level meeting with security clusters to address the issue.

The report has confirmed that four white rhinos were poached on a private farm in the Otjozondjupa Region, bringing the total number of rhinos poached on private farms in the country to five for the year.

“Three rhinos were poached in rhino custodianship farms, and one in the Kunene Region, bringing the total number of rhinos poached in the country to 28, of which 19 were black and nine white rhinos,” he said.

On a positive note, Muyunda revealed that the country has not recorded any poaching cases of elephants so far in 2024.

He urged all stakeholders, including members of the public, to join the Ministry in fighting against the poaching of high-value species.

Muyunda reiterated that the Ministry condemned the barbaric actions of those involved in poaching and called upon anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the suspects to come forth.

He also indicated that no arrests have been made in the recent cases so far, but criminal cases have been opened with the Namibian Police Force and investigations continue.