Environment and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel has inaugurated two newly acquired trucks to support anti-poaching operations and road maintenance works in the Etosha National Park.

Daniel is on a familiarization visit to the park to assess the road upgrades, park fencing, maintenance workshop, and the horse and dog units.

The trucks, with a combined value of more than N$7 million, were purchased through the game product trust fund.

"These vehicles will be instrumental in our anti-poaching efforts, maintenance of our tourist roads, fences, and the creation and upkeep of fire breaks, as well as overall management and preservation of our park. These trucks will significantly enhance our operational capacity by providing essential water supply to anti-poaching patrols and staff in the field, supporting fence construction and maintenance teams, and facilitating road maintenance."

In a meet-and-greet stopover, the minister called on the park staff to ensure they take proper care of the infrastructure and park equipment, as well as work hard to serve visitors to the area.

"I urge all of us to ensure that these vital assets are used responsibly and well maintained, as they play a key role in safeguarding the park's national heritage. We all know that funds are very minimal."

The K9 and horse units that have been operational since 2023 are used in combination with the park's air wing, including helicopters, foot patrols, closed-circuit television, intelligence gathering, and drones, to intensify the fight against illegal activities.