JUST IN: Concern over white rhino imports from SA for re-export

The environment ministry has expressed concern with regards to the trend with regards to Namibian registered game dealers that are importing live white rhinoceros from South Africa to re-export to countries outside their natural distribution range.

This means areas where this population of white rhinos never existed and will find it difficult to survive, said the spokesperson of the ministry Romeo Muyunda.

He said that South Africa has stricter domestic measures in place that does not exporting of some wildlife species.

“Namibian private farmers, especially registered game dealers are cautioned not to engage in such transactions as they will not be supported within the provisions of the CITES Convention.”

Muyunda said that they will not allow Namibia to be used to circumvent the South African Laws.

“Importing of white rhinos from South Africa might also disadvantage our farmers or game dealers in case they want to export white rhinoceros of Namibian origin.”

Muyunda said that he was not allowed to reveal who these game dealers were, but that the ministry will not be processing such applications.