The recent increase in wildlife crimes in the country remains a concern to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism. 

A total of 55 rhinos have been poached between January and August this year, an increase of 11 cases compared to last year.

The hotspots for these poaching incidents are the Etosha National Park and private game farms.

A total of 36 people were arrested for rhino-related cases this year, compared to 80 last year.

Two elephants have been poached so far this year in the northern and eastern regions of the country, compared to eight in 2021.

So far, 48 people have been arrested for elephant-related cases so far, compared to 98 in 2021.

During the same period, eight live pangolins have been seized, compared to 21 in 2021, while 24 pangolin skins have been seized, compared to 66 last year.

48 suspects have been arrested in connection with pangolin-related cases this year, compared to 129 in 2021.

The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, revealed this at the donation of 10 vehicles and park management and law enforcement equipment worth N$21.5 million funded by the German government.