The Integrated National Park Management II project, in collaboration with the Integrated Wildlife Protection project, donated 10 vehicles and park management and law enforcement equipment to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

The consignment, valued at N.dollars 21.7 million, consists of 10 4×4 off-road vehicles, water maintenance equipment, camping equipment, wildlife monitoring equipment, predator transport crates, workshop tools, spatial monitoring and reporting equipment, and IT equipment.

Speaking at the handover event here on Wednesday, Minister Pohamba Shifeta stated that the donation comes at a time when the country is still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which put unprecedented strain on Namibia’s economy, and the ministry was not spared.

He said the goods would significantly support the ministry’s efforts to protect wildlife and manage the country’s national parks efficiently and effectively.

“Our daily operations were severely impacted, and it has been extremely difficult to maintain and manage activities such as game water provision, wildlife crime prevention, inspections and law enforcement, human wildlife conflict management, infrastructure development, rural community involvement, and participation in wildlife management,” he said.

In terms of bolstering boots on the ground, he stated that the ministry increased visibility through foot and aerial patrols in all hotspot areas, particularly Etosha National Park, Bwabwata National Park, and tourism areas in the Kunene Region. The 10 vehicles will be deployed in these hotspot areas to strengthen efforts to protect Namibia’s wildlife.

“In terms of current poaching statistics, it is deeply concerning that a total of 55 rhinos have been poached this year. In 2021, 44 rhinos were poached. However, 36 people have been arrested this year for rhino-related crimes, compared to 80 in 2021. Elephants have been poached twice this year, compared to eight times in 2021. This year, 58 people have been arrested for elephant-related crimes, compared to 98 in 2021,” Shifeta said.

He added that eight live pangolins have been seized this year, compared to 21 in 2021; 24 pangolin skins have been seized this year, compared to 66 skins in 2021. A total 48 suspects have been arrested in pangolin-related cases this year, compared to 129 last year.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency