Indongo's rhino poached
A farm owned by businessman Frans Indongo has become the latest target of rhino poachers.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta confirmed to Namibian Sun that a white rhino killed on Indongo's farm Okanenampanti was the first rhino poaching of this year.
According to Shifeta the white rhino was killed last week.
The farm is located near Otjiwarongo and is the location of the Frans Indongo Lodge.
According to the minister the rhino carcass was discovered last week Thursday. The horns had been removed. No one has been arrested and investigations continue.
Shifeta said because of intensified security measures in national parks and conservancies poachers are increasingly targeting private farms.
Releasing the latest poaching figures, Shifeta said 63 rhinos were killed last year - 52 in Etosha National Park, eight in the Palmwag Conservancy in the Kunene Region and two on private farms.
He also confirmed that one elephant was poached in Bwabwata National Park last month.
Shifeta said Bwabwata was a huge area to cover and therefore it was decided to send in National Defence Force units to reinforce the anti-poaching patrols of police officers and game wardens.
He said it had become more common for poachers to be armed with assault rifles and to open fire on patrols when cornered.
“It would be reckless to allow the police to respond to such serious incidents and risk their lives,” he said.
According to statistics last year a total of 101 elephants were poached, while in 2015 49 elephants were killed and 78 in 2014. In 2013 a total of 38 elephants were poached.
The minister said last year 44 elephants were poached in the Zambezi Region and 49 in the Kavango Region. Five elephants were poached in the Kavango West Region, two in the Omusati Region and one near Omaruru.
ELLANIE SMIT
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta confirmed to Namibian Sun that a white rhino killed on Indongo's farm Okanenampanti was the first rhino poaching of this year.
According to Shifeta the white rhino was killed last week.
The farm is located near Otjiwarongo and is the location of the Frans Indongo Lodge.
According to the minister the rhino carcass was discovered last week Thursday. The horns had been removed. No one has been arrested and investigations continue.
Shifeta said because of intensified security measures in national parks and conservancies poachers are increasingly targeting private farms.
Releasing the latest poaching figures, Shifeta said 63 rhinos were killed last year - 52 in Etosha National Park, eight in the Palmwag Conservancy in the Kunene Region and two on private farms.
He also confirmed that one elephant was poached in Bwabwata National Park last month.
Shifeta said Bwabwata was a huge area to cover and therefore it was decided to send in National Defence Force units to reinforce the anti-poaching patrols of police officers and game wardens.
He said it had become more common for poachers to be armed with assault rifles and to open fire on patrols when cornered.
“It would be reckless to allow the police to respond to such serious incidents and risk their lives,” he said.
According to statistics last year a total of 101 elephants were poached, while in 2015 49 elephants were killed and 78 in 2014. In 2013 a total of 38 elephants were poached.
The minister said last year 44 elephants were poached in the Zambezi Region and 49 in the Kavango Region. Five elephants were poached in the Kavango West Region, two in the Omusati Region and one near Omaruru.
ELLANIE SMIT
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