Linea Dishena

A total of 46 rhinos, including 35 black and 11 white rhinos, have been killed in the Etosha National Park by poachers so far in 2024, minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta has said.

He made the announcement in the capital last week during the donation of 22 vehicles and information technology (IT) equipment, valued at N$19.8 million to the ministry by the Integrated Wildlife Protection Project. 

The donation was co-financed by the German state-owned KfW Development Bank.

Shifeta said arrests related to rhino and elephant poaching combined have decreased from 143 in 2023 to 91 in 2024.

Pangolin arrests dropped from 60 cases to 30.

He, however, added that there is much work to be done.

“While we have reassessed our strategies, bolstered our staff numbers, carried out anti-poaching training and are currently investing in constructing ranger stations, the fight against organised international poaching syndicates remains a daunting challenge, as long as the international demand does not dry up,” he noted.

He remarked that rural communities continue to struggle financially, in addition to drought conditions, which have made them more vulnerable to exploitation by poaching syndicates.

“The donated IT equipment will increase our capability to handle the administrative challenges of wildlife protection, as well as improve the monitoring and reporting on patrol efforts. The patrol vehicles will better be positioned to ensure the mobility of our units, resulting in a reduced reaction time to incursions,” he said.

At the same event, German ambassador to Namibia Thorsten Hutter  said investment in biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection is of crucial importance to Namibia.

He stated that such investment is crucial to Namibia’s efforts to safeguard its natural resources for future generations.

The donation includes 21 4×4 patrol vehicles, one sedan vehicle, and IT equipment.

-Nampa