The Otjozondjupa police have launched an investigation into a poaching incident involving a black rhino bull that was allegedly shot and killed on a private game farm near Otjituuo in the Grootfontein district.

In an interview with Nampa on Friday, the Namibian Police Force Unit Commander for Community Affairs in the region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha, said the poaching is suspected to have happened on the farm between April 1 and May 1, 2023, as the crime scene is old and was only discovered this week.

The police's preliminary investigations indicate that the animal was shot twice in the head with a heavy hunting rifle.

"The suspects sawed and removed the horns of the animal," Mbeha said.

Its carcass was found in a decomposing state, she added.

A case of hunting specially protected game valued at N$500,000 has been opened at the Otjituuo Police Station, situated less than 100 kilometres east of Grootfontein.

No arrest has been made in connection with the matter, and police investigations continue.