South Africa’s 70,000kg rhino horn stockpile must be burnt to prevent illegal trading

South Africa’s 70,000kg rhino horn stockpile must be burnt to prevent illegal trading

By Jason Gilchrist, Edinburgh Napier University Despite a global ban on international buying and selling of rhino horn since 1977, the South African government and owners of private rhino reserves continue to stockpile it. A new report by the EMS Foundation, a South African social justice and conservation organisation, advocates strongly against this practice. Ecologist and mammal conservation researcher Jason Gilchrist discusses what the […]

July 3, 2024 18

Namibia

Wildlife special court reconvenes in Katima Mulilo

The Wildlife Special Court has reconvened in Katima Mulilo for the second time since its establishment in 2022. The court is expected to hear over 60 wildlife crime cases in a period of two months. Here is the Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism's Chief Control Warden, Morgan Saisai with more. Meanwhile, the latest United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s World Wildlife Crime Report reveals that wildlife trafficking hasn't […]

May 15, 2024 42

Environment

Government assesses extent of rhino poaching amid recent incidents

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is conducting an assessment to determine the extent of rhino poaching following recent incidents in the Etosha National Park. Since the beginning of the year, 28 rhinos have been poached, with 19 in Etosha National Park and four on a private farm in the Otjozondjupa region. According to ministry spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, the ministry has called for an urgent high-level meeting on security.

April 2, 2024 39

Environment

MEFT records confiscation of 18 pangolin skins

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has recorded a total of 18 pangolin skins, 12 live pangolins and 146 pangolin scales that were confiscated between September and November this year. This is according to the ministry’s spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, who in a press statement on Monday said as a result 23 criminal cases have been registered and 38 suspects arrested. These numbers, Muyunda said surpass that of […]

December 19, 2023 7

Africa

Two Zambians arrested in Namibia for elephant tusk possession

Two Zambian nationals have been arrested in Linyanti Constituency, Malengalenga, for possessing 15 elephant tusks. During a joint operation by Namibian Police and Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism officials, two individuals were apprehended, while five others escaped and remain at large. Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda.

November 27, 2023 45