Reward raised to N$1 million to catch rhino syndicate
Public urged to help nab rhino killers
The discovery of three more slaughtered rhinos has brought the total to four that were killed on a single day by poachers this month on a farm in the south.
A reward of N$1 million is being offered for information leading to the identification and arrest of members of a syndicate who were involved in the recent killing of four rhinos on a farm in the Hardap Region near Maltahöhe.
A N$200 000 reward has also been offered for information that could help apprehend the individual poachers responsible for the killings.
This follows after three more rhino carcasses were discovered on the same farm earlier this week.
According to the farm owner, whose identity is being withheld for safety and security reasons, it is suspected that all the rhinos were killed on the same day a white rhino cow was poached two weeks ago, leaving her calf, Elsa, orphaned.
The family had been away for the weekend.
A reward of N$160 000 was initially offered following that incident.
Eighteen dead so far this year
Speaking to the farm owner this week, he expressed gratitude to the community for their contribution towards the reward.
He added that the family are heartbroken to have lost so many rhinos at once, especially because they were Elsa’s family.
However, he added that they are grateful Elsa survived and is doing so well.
Meanwhile, Jaco Muller from HornNamibia also appealed to the public to assist by lending their support to the investigation.
He also expressed his gratitude to the rhino conservation community that contributed to the reward.
The environment and tourism ministry confirmed the poaching of the four rhinos, bringing the total number of rhinos poached this year to 18.
Anyone with information can contact Namibian Police Deputy Commissioner Barry de Klerk at 0811290054 or Detective Warrant Officer Frieda Hangala from the Blue Rhino Task Team.
All information shared will remain entirely anonymous and protected.
A N$200 000 reward has also been offered for information that could help apprehend the individual poachers responsible for the killings.
This follows after three more rhino carcasses were discovered on the same farm earlier this week.
According to the farm owner, whose identity is being withheld for safety and security reasons, it is suspected that all the rhinos were killed on the same day a white rhino cow was poached two weeks ago, leaving her calf, Elsa, orphaned.
The family had been away for the weekend.
A reward of N$160 000 was initially offered following that incident.
Eighteen dead so far this year
Speaking to the farm owner this week, he expressed gratitude to the community for their contribution towards the reward.
He added that the family are heartbroken to have lost so many rhinos at once, especially because they were Elsa’s family.
However, he added that they are grateful Elsa survived and is doing so well.
Meanwhile, Jaco Muller from HornNamibia also appealed to the public to assist by lending their support to the investigation.
He also expressed his gratitude to the rhino conservation community that contributed to the reward.
The environment and tourism ministry confirmed the poaching of the four rhinos, bringing the total number of rhinos poached this year to 18.
Anyone with information can contact Namibian Police Deputy Commissioner Barry de Klerk at 0811290054 or Detective Warrant Officer Frieda Hangala from the Blue Rhino Task Team.
All information shared will remain entirely anonymous and protected.
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