Namibia to prioritize wildlife protection against rise of crimes

Namibian Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta on Tuesday highlighted wildlife protection at reserves against the rise of "syndicate-based wildlife crime."

"Wildlife crime in Namibia has reached a new quality of violence and enhanced frequency of incidences. Well-organized gangs enter vulnerable areas, crime syndicates organize the trafficking of horns and tusks through complex networks, leading to foreign markets," Shifeta said in Windhoek.

"If the current syndicate-based wildlife crime is not brought under control it will trigger a vicious cycle which results in enhanced rural poverty," he said.

Shifeta added that the government had increased presence of the anti-poaching unit in certain national parks and other conservation areas.

He made these remarks in the light of clarifying an incident earlier this month, when a tourist in the Bwabwata National Park was injured by gun shots fired by an anti-poaching patrol team.

A police investigation into the case is currently underway. Enditem