Seven rhinos poached in Etosha
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:31 pm
http://www.namibian.com.na/56188/read/S ... -in-Etosha
Seven rhinos poached in Etosha
News - National | 2017-06-29 Page no: 2
SEVEN of the eight rhino carcasses found at the Etosha National Park this week show that the animals had been poached.
According to the environment ministry's chief public relations officer, Romeo Muyunda, the eighth animal had died of natural causes.
In a statement yesterday, he said no arrests had been made, and reiterated the government's offer of N$60 000 for anyone providing information which could lead to the apprehension of the suspects.
The eight rhino carcasses were discovered in the park between 23 and 25 June 2017.
“The results of the assessment indicate that seven of the eight carcasses discovered were poached, and one died of natural causes,” said Muyunda.
The discovery brings the total number of poached rhinos for this year to 16.
He said the ministry had also recorded 16 elephants poached this year, which had resulted in the ministry intensifying patrols in protected areas in collaboration with the police and army.
Muyunda said the poaching scourge is threatening the growth of the tourism sector and the economy, and also threatens to reverse the conservation gains made since independence.
“The Ministry of Environment and Tourism will continue to strengthen effective crime prevention and law enforcement through coordinated and integrated clusters of activities such as security planning, monitoring and adaptive management,” he added.
Investigations into these cases are ongoing.
Seven rhinos poached in Etosha
News - National | 2017-06-29 Page no: 2
SEVEN of the eight rhino carcasses found at the Etosha National Park this week show that the animals had been poached.
According to the environment ministry's chief public relations officer, Romeo Muyunda, the eighth animal had died of natural causes.
In a statement yesterday, he said no arrests had been made, and reiterated the government's offer of N$60 000 for anyone providing information which could lead to the apprehension of the suspects.
The eight rhino carcasses were discovered in the park between 23 and 25 June 2017.
“The results of the assessment indicate that seven of the eight carcasses discovered were poached, and one died of natural causes,” said Muyunda.
The discovery brings the total number of poached rhinos for this year to 16.
He said the ministry had also recorded 16 elephants poached this year, which had resulted in the ministry intensifying patrols in protected areas in collaboration with the police and army.
Muyunda said the poaching scourge is threatening the growth of the tourism sector and the economy, and also threatens to reverse the conservation gains made since independence.
“The Ministry of Environment and Tourism will continue to strengthen effective crime prevention and law enforcement through coordinated and integrated clusters of activities such as security planning, monitoring and adaptive management,” he added.
Investigations into these cases are ongoing.
