Namibia has lost 50 rhinos each year since poaching

Windhoek – Since Namibia had its worst year of poaching in 2015, with the destruction of 97 rhinos, the country has lost an average of 50 rhinos per year.

The Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism, Bernadette Jagger, revealed the above at the 13th Meeting of the International Union of Conservationists (IUCN) African Rhino Specialist Group, to which attended approximately 45 delegates from African countries to Gross Barmen. Jagger said unprecedented levels of rhino poaching in Africa were occurring, threatening the existence of rhinos in the wild.

Therefore, the mission of the Africa Rhino Specialist Group is to promote the development and long-term maintenance of a viable population of the different subspecies of African rhinoceroses in Africa. wild state, said Jagger.

"It must be our goal as rhinoceros conservatives to continue to grow rhinoceros populations in the wild – this can not be achieved if we work in isolation." We need to work together across borders institutions and organizations, "she urged. Likewise, she said, through their collaboration, they can build a united front against the attacks of wildlife crime in order to keep these majestic creatures for future generations.

"As a country, we work hard and we are ready to go into the bush, you can not be linked to an office, you can not be in air-conditioned offices if you want these species to be kept. not my great-grandchildren to go to Malawi or Botswana to see a black rhinoceros, they have to see it here, in their home country, "she pointed out.

She pointed out that wildlife trafficking has become a multi-million dollar criminal enterprise that goes beyond mere conservation concerns.

In addition, Mr. Jagger said that the growing involvement of criminal syndicates in poaching and wildlife trafficking promotes corruption, threatens species, reinforces illegal trade routes, destabilizes economies and communities dependent on wildlife.

This situation, she says, calls for everyone's collective attention and efforts to develop new strategies and implement ongoing strategies and measures to deal with the current situation.

It revealed that despite the poaching attack, Namibia's white and black rhinoceros population has been preserved and continues to grow.

She said that the national black rhinoceros population currently exceeds 2,000 species and that the white population currently numbers 1,000 animals.

This, she added, is consistent with the vision of rhinoceros strategies that rhinos are re-established in a viable and healthy reproductive population throughout its former range and are used in ways that sustainable.

She explained that the reduction of poaching from 2015 can be mainly attributed to the combined security efforts of Namibian police and defense forces, private rhino owners and staff of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. . In addition, Jagger said the Namibian government and rhino owners must continually innovate and collaborate to reduce poaching levels.

In addition, she encouraged delegates to work together and find lasting solutions to the poaching crisis in Africa.

"When we come back, we will have to go implement the recommendations of the meeting so that when you come back next year, you will see whether they have worked or not," she added.

I said.