The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism says 18 pangolin skins, 12 live pangolins and 146 pangolin scales were confiscated from people between September and November this year.
The ministry’s spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said in a press statement on Monday that as a result, 23 criminal cases were registered and 38 suspects arrested.
These numbers surpass the combined elephant and rhino figures for this period, and are predominantly from the northern regions. Kavango West registered the most number of cases at six, followed by Kavango East, Ohangwena, Oshana and Zambezi regions with three cases each.
The central regions cumulatively registered four cases, while the Kunene region registered only one case.
“Prior to September, there had only been a total of six live pangolins recovered and 19 skins confiscated from January to August 2023. In association with registered crimes, the total animals poached this year between live animals, skins and scales comes to 50, with an additional two foetuses miscarried by confiscated live female pangolins,” Muyunda said.
He noted that although the ministry is pleased with the arrests of suspects, these arrests are indicative of an increase in crimes involving pangolins, which is a major concern.
“Pangolins are under serious threat, and the ministry would like to remind the public that the trafficking of wildlife is a serious offence, and offenders will be arrested and prosecuted for this crime,” he cautioned.
To date, the heaviest sentence for the trafficking of a pangolin or its parts has been nine years’ direct imprisonment, and the heaviest fine imposed was N$800 000.
Pangolins are protected under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 4 of 1975, as amended by Act 3 of 2017, and the Controlled Wildlife Trade and Products Act 9 of 2008, as amended by Act 6 of 2017.
In Namibia, the possession of a pangolin or its parts carries the same maximum sentence as for rhino horn, up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine up to N$15 000.
The trafficking or sale of pangolins carries a sentence of up to 25 years imprisonment and/or N$25 000 000 fine, Muyunda said. – Nampa