Wildlife task force training starts

Environment and tourism minister, Pohamba Shifeta said wildlife trafficking has become a multi-million dollar criminal enterprise whose threat has expanded to become more than just a conservation concern. He was speaking at the official opening of an N$6-million training centre at Waterberg this past weekend. Namibia has established an anti-poaching unit that will consist of about 500 people, who will be employed to help fight elephant and rhino poachers. These members will be trained at the newly launched law enforcement training centre for anti-poaching at Waterberg.Shifeta said the training centre will train anti-poaching personnel to ensure that Namibia has the capacity to deal with wildlife crime.“The increasing involvement of organised crime in poaching and wildlife trafficking promotes corruption, threatens peace, strengthens illicit trade routes, destabilises economies and communities that depend on wildlife for their livelihoods.”According to Shifeta, the ministry obtained approval to establish the anti-poaching unit of 495 staff members. “These staff members will go through training at this facility.”Shifeta said that the ministry will also use the training facility for the recruitment of wardens, rangers and assistant rangers as they have to go through practical and theoretical selection processes to ensure the right person is selected for the right job. “The process of recruiting wardens, rangers and assistant rangers is a critical step for improving the overall quality of the candidates that proceed to basic training, and provides an important opportunity for strengthening the performance of an area's ranger force over the long term.”He said in contrast, ineffective recruitment that results in the appointment of inappropriate candidates, is not only a missed opportunity for reinforcing the area's ranger force, but can also lead to poor performance, interpersonal difficulties and low ranger morale and motivation. “Appropriate staff will therefore be recruited for anti-poaching activities at this training centre.”Some of the aspects of training that will be conducted as far as anti-poaching activities are concerned will include principles of anti-poaching operations, aim of patrols, sketch planning, navigation, crime scene handling, investigation tactics, intelligence gathering and wildlife laws. It will also include maintenance, storage and management of firearms and ammunition, key factors to avoid during patrols, and many other aspects. The training centre will also be used for other wildlife management and protected area management in accordance with the training manuals.“I am confident that with the training to be offered here at Waterberg, we will have equipped, motivated and skilled staff members. “Trainers for our different programmes will be sourced both externally and internally but with a high degree of confidence, professionalism and qualifications,” said Shifeta. The first round of training is set to start in April.According to Shifeta poaching can be described as a priority crime and therefore more resources need to be invested in the efforts to stop these illegal activities, and training is one of the areas where more investment is needed.The training centre comprises of 20 double room units for the trainees and two double room units for the caterers, a lecture hall, a kitchen and one house with four flats for trainees and instructors.The Strengthening the Protected Areas System or the PASS Project, through a grant from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the implementing agency, provided financial resources for the construction of the facility. The American Embassy and KfW through the German government also made funding available for equipment that will be used at the training facility.ELLANIE SMIT

Wildlife task force training starts

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-14

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Wildlife task force training starts

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-14

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