Probe into 'barbaric' elephant hunt

The environment ministry has launched an investigation into an elephant hunt, after a video surfaced on social media, which the ministry has described as “barbaric”. The ministry said in the video trophy and professional hunters can both be seeing shooting into an elephant herd.The video surfaced online and was loaded on the News24 website in South Africa last week.It shows elephant being hunted in Namibia's Nakabolelwa Conservancy. According to reports, the video was shot three or four years ago. It shows two men with rifles aiming at a herd of elephant in the distance.One of the men says, “hit it between the eyes”, before they both open fire.After an elephant bull is shot, another elephant storms at the hunters. Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said they are disturbed by the type of conduct displayed in the video. “This is unethical hunting, which is against the principles of conservation hunting in Namibia. We condemn this barbaric and unprofessional way of hunting, which we do not want to be associated with.”Muyunda said the ministry has commissioned an investigation.According to him the professional hunter in the video has been identified and is known to the ministry.“We have thus far also established where the incident occurred.”Depending on the outcome of the investigation, director of wildlife and national Parks, Colgar Sikopo, may withdraw the registration of the professional hunter, in line with regulations relating to the Nature Conservation Ordinance. “As such, a professional hunter may not practice the hunting profession in Namibia again.”Muyunda said Namibia is committed to the sustainable use of wildlife resources, as is provided for in the constitution. According to him, sport and trophy hunting is the result of good conservation and wildlife management, and is in collective interest of ensuring wildlife is used sustainably. “Sport or trophy hunting is part of what we refer to as conservation hunting. Conservation hunting lends itself to being a sustainable way of using wildlife, since this form of hunting is aimed at a small portion of a population, typically the surplus adult animals, usually males.”Muyunda said conservation in Namibia is regulated by law. He said regulations relating to nature conservation provide for different categories of trophy hunting guides, namely hunting guides, master hunting guides, professional hunters and professional hunters for big game. While hunting and master hunting guides are restricted to hunting farms, the higher categories of professional and professional hunters of big game are allowed to hunt anywhere in Namibia through concessions or in conservancies.“All hunting operators are also registered with the ministry to practice in the country, as well as the Namibia Tourism Board, in terms of its Act.”Muyunda said Namibia's conservation hunting is a reputable industry that contributes significantly to conservation in the country. It further contributes to the social and economic empowerment of Namibians, particularly those in rural areas who live with wildlife on a daily basis. “This makes the industry significant and therefore actions that seek to destroy it should be rooted out.”Muyunda assured Namibians and the international community that the incident is being taken seriously and that action will be taken accordingly. ELLANIE SMIT

Probe into 'barbaric' elephant hunt

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

Please login to leave a comment

Probe into 'barbaric' elephant hunt

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

Please login to leave a comment

Login