Poaching fight intensifies
The ministry will meet with all private rhino owners in an effort to stop rhino poaching on commercial farms
In an effort to curb the escalating poaching in Namibia, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has come up with a programme that will engage farmers, traditional leaders and neighbouring parks in its anti-poaching strategies this year.
The ministry will meet with all private rhino owners in Namibia in an effort to stop rhino poaching on commercial farms.
Five high-level meetings with neighbouring parks, communities and stakeholders are also planned to address poaching in the Bwabwata and Etosha National Parks and the Kunene Region.
The meetings planned for Omega and Kongola will address poaching in Bwabwata National Park and neighbouring parks and conservancies.
Meetings will also be held at Onamatanga, Otjokavare and Palmwag to address poaching in Etosha National Park and the Kunene Region.
Speaking at the unveiling of an anti-poaching awareness campaign billboard at Okahandja, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said the ministry would continue to engage with traditional authorities, local authorities and regional leadership on the importance of protecting wildlife.
“Illegal hunting of wildlife, mainly rhinos and elephants, and trade in wildlife products in the country is a syndicate-based activity. It involves foreigners who are well linked to middlemen in the country, who in turn use local communities as poachers as they have good knowledge of the areas. As in any criminal setup, it is difficult to pinpoint those involved until the syndicates are well understood and their modus operandi exposed.”
According to Shifeta, as poaching syndicates increase in size, number and sophistication, it becomes imperative that law enforcement responses must be robust, reliable and effective.
He said anti-poaching awareness campaigns are one of the strategies that need to be put in place for robust, reliable and effective approaches.
“Increasing anti-poaching and wildlife protection enforcement efforts will have only limited effect unless we work simultaneously to address the persistent market demand that drives this trade. Criminals will continue to kill wildlife and traffic in contraband as long as the potential profits outweigh the risks.”
Shifeta said public awareness and conservation education was just one strategy.
According to him, in order to end poaching and wildlife trafficking, the illegal buying of game products must also stop.
Shifeta said for that reason, the escalating demand fuelling the illegal trade in wildlife needs to be addressed.
“Our strategic approach in dealing with demand reduction and public awareness to stop poaching and wildlife trafficking is that we will work with partners across Namibia, including non-governmental organisations and local communities, to reduce domestic demand for poaching, and illegally traded wildlife and wildlife products.”
He said the ministry would also continue to promote demand reduction efforts globally by encouraging, supporting, and collaborating with partners to launch public information campaigns.
The ministry last week erected an anti-poaching billboard at the Okahandja gateway. Similar billboards will be erected at Divundu, Werda and Oshivelo and other strategic points in the country.
The ministry will meet with all private rhino owners in Namibia in an effort to stop rhino poaching on commercial farms.
Five high-level meetings with neighbouring parks, communities and stakeholders are also planned to address poaching in the Bwabwata and Etosha National Parks and the Kunene Region.
The meetings planned for Omega and Kongola will address poaching in Bwabwata National Park and neighbouring parks and conservancies.
Meetings will also be held at Onamatanga, Otjokavare and Palmwag to address poaching in Etosha National Park and the Kunene Region.
Speaking at the unveiling of an anti-poaching awareness campaign billboard at Okahandja, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said the ministry would continue to engage with traditional authorities, local authorities and regional leadership on the importance of protecting wildlife.
“Illegal hunting of wildlife, mainly rhinos and elephants, and trade in wildlife products in the country is a syndicate-based activity. It involves foreigners who are well linked to middlemen in the country, who in turn use local communities as poachers as they have good knowledge of the areas. As in any criminal setup, it is difficult to pinpoint those involved until the syndicates are well understood and their modus operandi exposed.”
According to Shifeta, as poaching syndicates increase in size, number and sophistication, it becomes imperative that law enforcement responses must be robust, reliable and effective.
He said anti-poaching awareness campaigns are one of the strategies that need to be put in place for robust, reliable and effective approaches.
“Increasing anti-poaching and wildlife protection enforcement efforts will have only limited effect unless we work simultaneously to address the persistent market demand that drives this trade. Criminals will continue to kill wildlife and traffic in contraband as long as the potential profits outweigh the risks.”
Shifeta said public awareness and conservation education was just one strategy.
According to him, in order to end poaching and wildlife trafficking, the illegal buying of game products must also stop.
Shifeta said for that reason, the escalating demand fuelling the illegal trade in wildlife needs to be addressed.
“Our strategic approach in dealing with demand reduction and public awareness to stop poaching and wildlife trafficking is that we will work with partners across Namibia, including non-governmental organisations and local communities, to reduce domestic demand for poaching, and illegally traded wildlife and wildlife products.”
He said the ministry would also continue to promote demand reduction efforts globally by encouraging, supporting, and collaborating with partners to launch public information campaigns.
The ministry last week erected an anti-poaching billboard at the Okahandja gateway. Similar billboards will be erected at Divundu, Werda and Oshivelo and other strategic points in the country.
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