The Namibian Police Force in the Oshikoto Region has opened a case of illegal hunting against two men aged 44 and 31 for allegedly killing two black rhinos worth about N$1 million without a permit.

The region's Crime Investigations Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Titus Ekandjo, said the incident occurred on Sunday at an unknown time at the Kameeldoring waterhole in Etosha National Park, close to Oshivelo.

The suspects reside in Kotengua village near Opuwo and Omatando village near Ongwediva. 

The Ministry of Environment is hot on the heels of four suspected rhino poachers from Etosha National Park who poached two rhinos.

After poaching the male and female rhinos, the poachers' movements were spotted by the anti-poaching members. 

Bulletin Editor Lahia Hatutale engaged Retired Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa, Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism's Head of Wildlife Protection Services, on this poaching matter.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism's Executive Director says poaching of rhinos and elephants in Namibia has decreased significantly over the years. 

This year, Teofilus Nghitila says 48 rhinos and eight elephants were poached.
Nghitila says this year's poaching statistics are better compared to 2018, when 84 rhinos and 27 elephants were poached. 

He attributed the poaching reduction to the measures they have put in place. 

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism carried out the dehorning of rhinos at Etosha National Park in order to combat poaching in the country.

The Ministry says the dehorning of all rhinos is also a means of safeguarding them from poaching activities and preventing them from causing harm to each other.

Since 2014, more than 2,000 rhinos have undergone the dehorning process.

During the recent operation, only two rhinos were dehorned.