Rhino poaching on sharp rise in Namibia

Unprecedented levels of poaching were recorded this month in Namibia as seven poached rhino carcasses were discovered in Etosha National park, bringing the number of rhinos poached this year to 47.

The Ministry of Environment and tourism announced the figure on Wednesday. The latest figure means the improvement the country saw last year is short-lived, when 8 rhinos were poached in 2015, down from 24 in 2014.

In the north-eastern region of Namibia, 91 elephants were poached in 2015 compared to 78 in 2014. It is reported to date that 69 elephants have been poached in 2016 mainly in the Zambezi and the Kavango regions.

The Government of Namibia has been very proactive and has aggressively tackled poaching through the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. However, the current situation indicates more needs to be done.

According to Romeo Muyunda, Chief Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, wildlife trafficking is becoming a million dollar criminal enterprise that has expanded to more than just conservation concern.

He added that the involvement of organized crime in poaching and wildlife trafficking promotes corruption, threatens peace and destabilizes economies and communities that depend on wildlife for their livelihoods.

Earlier this year the Minister of Environment and Tourism launched the Game Utilization Policy in Protected Areas and on State land. This policy was launched to promote management of natural resources for the enhancement of ecosystem conservation and socio-economic development.

It is further expected to create improved communication skills and enhance mutual understanding between park management authorities, neighbors and resident communities, to meet the country's national and international commitments to biodiversity conservation, while taking into account the rights and development needs of the people. Endit