Namibia’s environment ministry is on high alert after a surge in rhino poaching. As of Monday, 28 rhinos have been killed by poachers this year, with nearly two-thirds occurring in the country’s largest wildlife reserve, Etosha Park.
The ministry called an “urgent high-level meeting” with security officials to address the “barbaric” poaching wave. They’ve also pleaded for public assistance in combating this growing threat across southern Africa. No arrests have been reported so far.
Etosha Park, a major tourist attraction for its diverse wildlife population, has been heavily impacted. The ministry revealed that 10 of the 19 rhinos poached in the park were dehorned earlier this year in a preemptive attempt to deter poachers.
Rhino horns, valued in traditional Asian medicine, are the primary target. “This is a major concern,” the ministry stated, “as Etosha Park is crucial for rhino conservation efforts in Namibia.”
The situation is dire. Namibia lost 87 rhinos to poaching in 2022, nearly double the number from 2021. Figures for 2023 are yet to be released. The neighboring country, South Africa, which has the largest rhino population in Africa, also faces a poaching crisis. Nearly 500 rhinos were slaughtered there in 2022, an 11% increase from the previous year.
