Crisis: 570 pangolins poached since 2018 in Namibia

Since 2018, a documented total of 570 pangolins have been poached from the wild in Namibia. This alarming figure was highlighted by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Romeo Muyunda, as he reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to pangolin conservation on World Pangolin Day.World Pangolin Day, observed on Saturday, aims to raise awareness about pangolins and the severe threats they face, including habitat loss and illegal trafficking. Muyunda emphasized that the Namibian government remains dedicated to protecting the species and tackling these challenges.“To address our concerns regarding pangolin trafficking, the government has developed a National Species Plan in collaboration with the Namibian Pangolin Working Group, which will be released this year,” Muyunda said.He added that conservation efforts are being strengthened through legislation, enforcement, and collaboration with local communities and NGOs such as the Pangolin Conservation and Research Foundation.“Through this partnership, we have rescued, released, and monitored 35 pangolins over the past four years. Our goal is to ensure the long-term survival of pangolins and to protect our nation’s biodiversity.”In commemorating World Pangolin Day, Muyunda also paid tribute to Namibia’s late Founding President, Dr. Sam Nujoma, recognizing his pivotal role in shaping the country’s conservation efforts.“As Namibia’s first democratically elected president, Nujoma was instrumental in embedding environmental protection into the country’s Constitution, making Namibia the first nation to do so,” Muyunda said.He noted that Nujoma’s dedication to safeguarding Namibia’s natural heritage laid the foundation for a conservation model that empowers communities, supports biodiversity, and ensures the protection of species like the pangolin for future generations.“In honoring his legacy, we reaffirm our responsibility to uphold Namibia’s commitment to wildlife conservation and the sustainable management of our natural resources. Furthermore, we must embrace his foresightedness to ensure our pangolins and other wild animals are protected to benefit Namibians today and in the future.”Muyunda also emphasized that wildlife trafficking is a serious offense in Namibia. To date, the heaviest sentence handed down for pangolin trafficking has been nine years of direct imprisonment, while the highest fine imposed has been N$800,000 for the trafficking of a pangolin or its parts.The Namibian government continues to enforce strict measures to combat wildlife crimes and ensure that pangolins, one of the world’s most trafficked mammals, remain protected in their natural habitat.

Crisis: 570 pangolins poached since 2018 in Namibia

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-03-26

Please login to leave a comment

Crisis: 570 pangolins poached since 2018 in Namibia

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-03-26

Please login to leave a comment

Login