Namibia records decrease in Rhino poaching

Namibia has recorded a decrease in Rhino poaching however, the Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, on Monday, in his end-of-year statement, said that poaching remains an issue, despite the recorded decrease over the year 2023. According to Shifeta, 48 rhinos were poached in 2023 compared to 92 in the previous year, while eight elephants were poached in 2023, compared to four in 2022. Meanwhile, the Namibia Press Agency reports that in 2023, the ministry recorded 85 percent compliance with the Environmental Management Act, which was enacted to protect the natural environment. The ministry received 1600 applications for environmental clearance and 984 clearance certificates were issued. The most common being for infrastructure development, urban development, and mining. The high number of applications, Shifeta said, is attributed to the newly introduced online application system, which will continue in 2024.