Rudolf Gaiseb

Three suspected poachers were shot and killed in the Etosha National Park last Friday, the Namibian Police Force has announced. 

Members of the police’s anti-poaching unit at Etosha observed shoeprints during their routine foot and vehicle patrols. 

The following day, they tracked down the suspected poachers. “However, when the suspected poachers noticed that they were being pursued, an exchange of fire ensued between the suspected poachers and members of the anti-poaching unit, which led to three suspected poachers being fatally shot,” a statement issued by Inspector General Joseph Shikongo reads.

No member of the anti-poaching unit was injured during the exchange of fire.

When the scene was visited, it was established that the suspected poachers were armed with three rifles, with one having a silencer attached to it.

Shikongo added that the poachers had anti-tracking fibres on their feet to avoid being tracked. The identities of the suspected poachers are yet to be established at this stage, as no identification documents were found on their bodies. 

Their bodies are kept at the Oshakati police mortuary.  

“Owing to the above, the Namibian Police Force is requesting anyone with information about these poachers, or anyone missing a loved one, to visit the Oshakati police mortuary for possible identification of the deceased,” he said.  -rrgaiseb@gmail.com