Namibians mourn loss of rhino guardian Jaco Muller

Three days before World Rhino Day and 13 days after his 53rd birthday, well-known rhino conservationist Jaco Muller died in a gyrocopter crash on a farm in the Outjo district.Muller flew over his farm every day to check that his rhinos were safe, particularly after recent attempts by poaching syndicates.On Saturday, however, he used his gyrocopter to monitor fires in the Outjo area from the air before the fatal accident took place.This is according to aircraft accident investigator Ben Engelbrecht, who was at the scene over the weekend investigating the cause of the crash.“It is very difficult to determine the cause now because the wreckage has been burnt out,” he told Namibian Sun's sister publication Republikein on Sunday.According to the project’s veterinarian, Dr Juliette Erdtsieck, Muller did not return after his flight on Saturday, and they became concerned.She said Muller’s son, Tristan, tracked his father’s cellphone and found the crash site.The crash was reported to the directorate of aircraft accident and incident investigation (DAAII) in the works and transport ministry at about 18:00 on Saturday.‘Biggest heart’Muller was a well-known Namibian rhino farmer and conservationist and founder of the Rhino Momma Project, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to conserving and expanding the White Rhino population in Namibia.Tributes have poured in from near and far for Muller, who was not only Namibia’s largest rhino farmer but also chairperson of Help Our Rhinos Now Namibia (HoRN.nam).Late last year, he joined other Namibian representatives at the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where they advocated legal trade in rhino horn. A two-thirds majority of parties voted against Namibia’s proposals.Alongside South African rhino farmer John Hulme, his greatest mentor, Muller also wanted to expand Namibia’s and Africa’s rhino population. He even exported rhinos to the US state of Texas, “because they are safer there”.Besides taking in orphaned rhino calves whose mothers had been killed by poachers, Muller was a family man who married his wife, Cher, at the age of 20. They had a son, Tristan, and a daughter, Paige. His two grandchildren, born to Tristan and his daughter-in-law Amber-Lee, were among his greatest sources of pride.Muller grew up in Okahandja, where his parents, Koos and Yvonne, still live. His mother wrote on Facebook: “The little man with the biggest heart.”Muller also always extended a helping hand to his friends and the community, whether during the drought, rhino poaching or veld fires.“I was privileged to know him as a wonderful direct neighbour,” Asnath Kaperu wrote.“We spoke about farming matters many times. During the severe drought, he brought us food from the church as encouragement to keep trying and maintain our faith,” he added.“He will be greatly missed.”Jossy Panduleni Haufila wrote: “So, so sad to lose a guardian of endangered rhino species. May his work and legacy continue. Rest in peace, Champion!”Gaby Tirronen wrote: “He was our saviour when we did not know how to continue trying to save our rhinos.”– francoise@nmh.com.na

Namibians mourn loss of rhino guardian Jaco Muller

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-22

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Namibians mourn loss of rhino guardian Jaco Muller

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-22

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