Escaped rhino to be returned to Etosha

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has confirmed that the stray rhino reported by Onkani villagers had escaped from Etosha National Park and that it is safe.

The ministry's spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, said ministry officials were trying to capture the rhino and return it to Etosha with the assistance of the police.

People at Onkani village in the Otamanzi constituency of the Omusati Region reported seeing a stray rhino in their area on Wednesday.

Muyunda said ministry officials were immediately sent to Onkani to protect the endangered animal from poachers.

“Our officials are there with assistance of the Namibian police trying to capture it. I communicated with the Etosha park manager but they said that they had not captured it yet. The police have made a helicopter available to help us make sure that is well protected,” Muyunda said yesterday afternoon.

Muyunda warned people not to go near the rhino.

“Rhinos have poor vision. Whenever they see any object approaching them, they attack in self-defence,” he said.

A source told Namibian Sun that the rhino was still in the area and the plan was to take it back to Etosha today.

“It is not aggressive and they are monitoring it with a helicopter as well. The team that will capture it is coming tomorrow. Currently there are only those who are guarding it,” the source said.

ILENI NANDJATO