Teacher arrested for poaching
A teacher was among the suspects arrested for poaching this weekend in the Kunene Region, following the recent discovery of two rhino carcasses.
This brings the total of poached rhinos in Namibia to 26 for the year compared to a total of 60 in 2016.
The environment ministry yesterday confirmed in a statement that a poached rhino carcass was discovered on Friday in the Klip River area in the Kunene Region.
According to the ministry, staff observed suspicious movements which were followed up with the police. Two suspects were arrested almost immediately.
“Thereafter an operation involving aerial patrols and strategic roadblocks were initiated and led to the arrest of four more suspects who are believed to have carried out the hunt of the poached rhino,” according to the ministry.
The four suspects were found in possession with a pair of fresh rhino horns.
Among the suspects arrested is a school teacher. All the suspects are Namibians, the ministry confirmed.
With regard to this incident the police in its crime report yesterday said seven suspects were arrested for allegedly being in possession of two rhino horns.
According to the police on Saturday between 02:00 and 17:00 at the Humor area, Anker, the suspects also had in their possession two unlicensed firearms and eight rounds of ammunition.
It is alleged that two vehicles were found parked in Erwee village with three suspects while the other four suspects were in the field.
According to the ministry another poached black rhino carcass was also discovered in the Okozongoro farm in the Erongo Region. Okozongoro is one of the ministry's rhino custodianship areas. According to the police the dehorned black bull rhino carcass, believed to be eight days old, was shot in the heart. No cartridge was found at the scene and no arrests have been made as yet.
“Investigations into both cases continue and we reiterate our appeal to the public to continue assisting us and the police by reporting any suspected rhino or elephant poaching incidents. The ministry further wishes to warn those involved and those with intent to conduct such illegal activities that our anti-poaching teams comprising of members of the environment ministry and the Namibian Defence Force are deployed in all concentration areas,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that the Nature Conservation Amendment Act No. 3 of 2017 will apply in any illegal activities related to hunting of rhinos and elephants. The provisions in this act stipulates that suspects found guilty qualify for a fine of N$25 million or 25 years imprisonment or both fine and imprisonment.
In cases where suspects are second offenders, the get a fine of N$50 million or 50 years imprisonment or both such a fine and imprisonment.
A total of 18 elephants have been poached this year compared to 101 in 2016.
ELLANIE SMIT
This brings the total of poached rhinos in Namibia to 26 for the year compared to a total of 60 in 2016.
The environment ministry yesterday confirmed in a statement that a poached rhino carcass was discovered on Friday in the Klip River area in the Kunene Region.
According to the ministry, staff observed suspicious movements which were followed up with the police. Two suspects were arrested almost immediately.
“Thereafter an operation involving aerial patrols and strategic roadblocks were initiated and led to the arrest of four more suspects who are believed to have carried out the hunt of the poached rhino,” according to the ministry.
The four suspects were found in possession with a pair of fresh rhino horns.
Among the suspects arrested is a school teacher. All the suspects are Namibians, the ministry confirmed.
With regard to this incident the police in its crime report yesterday said seven suspects were arrested for allegedly being in possession of two rhino horns.
According to the police on Saturday between 02:00 and 17:00 at the Humor area, Anker, the suspects also had in their possession two unlicensed firearms and eight rounds of ammunition.
It is alleged that two vehicles were found parked in Erwee village with three suspects while the other four suspects were in the field.
According to the ministry another poached black rhino carcass was also discovered in the Okozongoro farm in the Erongo Region. Okozongoro is one of the ministry's rhino custodianship areas. According to the police the dehorned black bull rhino carcass, believed to be eight days old, was shot in the heart. No cartridge was found at the scene and no arrests have been made as yet.
“Investigations into both cases continue and we reiterate our appeal to the public to continue assisting us and the police by reporting any suspected rhino or elephant poaching incidents. The ministry further wishes to warn those involved and those with intent to conduct such illegal activities that our anti-poaching teams comprising of members of the environment ministry and the Namibian Defence Force are deployed in all concentration areas,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that the Nature Conservation Amendment Act No. 3 of 2017 will apply in any illegal activities related to hunting of rhinos and elephants. The provisions in this act stipulates that suspects found guilty qualify for a fine of N$25 million or 25 years imprisonment or both fine and imprisonment.
In cases where suspects are second offenders, the get a fine of N$50 million or 50 years imprisonment or both such a fine and imprisonment.
A total of 18 elephants have been poached this year compared to 101 in 2016.
ELLANIE SMIT
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