Another case of rhino poaching is currently being investigated by the Namibian police force and the owners of the Palmwag Lodge in Damaraland.
Lodge owner Fritz Schenk told Informante that he is not prepared to go into detail because both his staff and the police are currently still investigating the incident.
It has been reported that the sub-adult male died after at least five bullets struck his body. Due to the location of the bullets, on both sides of its body, it is suspected that more than one person might have been involved in the shooting. Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi confirmed this week that the rhino was dead for between three and four weeks before the carcass was found early last week. According to Marcia Fargnoli, chief executive officer of the Save the Rhino Trust, the de-horned body of the rhino was found in the area but, as the investigation continues, Fargnoli said her information is also very limited. This latest incident follows a Ministry of Environment and Tourism statement expressing concern about the safety of Namibia’s rhino population. According to acting permanent secretary Teofilus Nghitila, his ministry is alarmed by recent activities of poaching of rhinos and the illegal possession of fourteen rhino horns reported about in local media last month.
Palmwag Lodge is one of Namibia's oldest lodges and is situated inside the Palmwag Conservancy in Damaraland. Nghitila highlighted the consequences of poaching on community-based conservancies saying that it could have severe economic implications adversely impacting both tourism and trophy hunting. “The current illegal wildlife- related activities clearly need to be brought under control,” he said.
The ministry intends to strengthen its crime prevention efforts by coordinating planning, monitoring and adaptive management, increasing its presence on the ground, creating dedicated investigation units focusing on criminal syndicates and organised crime, retraining staff and collaborating widely with stakeholders such as the police, local farmers and conservation communities, he said.
Lodge owner Fritz Schenk told Informante that he is not prepared to go into detail because both his staff and the police are currently still investigating the incident.
It has been reported that the sub-adult male died after at least five bullets struck his body. Due to the location of the bullets, on both sides of its body, it is suspected that more than one person might have been involved in the shooting. Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi confirmed this week that the rhino was dead for between three and four weeks before the carcass was found early last week. According to Marcia Fargnoli, chief executive officer of the Save the Rhino Trust, the de-horned body of the rhino was found in the area but, as the investigation continues, Fargnoli said her information is also very limited. This latest incident follows a Ministry of Environment and Tourism statement expressing concern about the safety of Namibia’s rhino population. According to acting permanent secretary Teofilus Nghitila, his ministry is alarmed by recent activities of poaching of rhinos and the illegal possession of fourteen rhino horns reported about in local media last month.
Palmwag Lodge is one of Namibia's oldest lodges and is situated inside the Palmwag Conservancy in Damaraland. Nghitila highlighted the consequences of poaching on community-based conservancies saying that it could have severe economic implications adversely impacting both tourism and trophy hunting. “The current illegal wildlife- related activities clearly need to be brought under control,” he said.
The ministry intends to strengthen its crime prevention efforts by coordinating planning, monitoring and adaptive management, increasing its presence on the ground, creating dedicated investigation units focusing on criminal syndicates and organised crime, retraining staff and collaborating widely with stakeholders such as the police, local farmers and conservation communities, he said.
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