Namibia sees decline in wildlife poaching arrests

WINDHOEK, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) — Namibia has recorded a decrease in arrests related to poaching of rhinoceros, elephants, and pangolins, but authorities say more work is needed to combat the ongoing threat from international poaching syndicates.
Speaking at a handover ceremony of donated vehicles Wednesday, Namibian Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta said combined arrests for rhinoceros and elephant poaching dropped from 143 last year to 91 this year. Pangolin-related crimes also saw a decline, with 30 cases recorded this year compared to 60 last year.
Despite this progress, Shifeta said that organized poaching remains a major challenge, driven by continued international demand for wildlife products.
“We are still recording cases of rhino poaching. This year alone, we have tragically lost 46 rhinos (35 black and 11 white) to poaching in Etosha National Park,” he said.
According to Shifeta, rural communities continue to struggle financially, and the current drought conditions have made them even more vulnerable to exploitation by poaching syndicates.
“While we have reassessed our strategies, bolstered our staff numbers, carried out anti-poaching training, and are currently investing in constructing new ranger stations, the fight against organized international poaching syndicates remains a daunting challenge as long as the international demand is not drying up,” he said.
Namibia is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including iconic species like rhinoceros, elephants, lions, and cheetahs, but faces ongoing threats from poaching, particularly of high-value species such as rhinoceros and elephants, driven by international demand for horns and tusks. ■