According to official government data, the number of endangered rhinos poached in Namibia hit an all-time high last year, with 87 animals slain compared to 45 in 2021.
Over the years, Africa’s rhino population has been devastated to meet the demand for rhino horn, which, although being formed of the same material as rhino hair and fingernails, is coveted in East Asia as a claimed medicine and as jewellery.
Poachers murdered 61 black and 26 white rhinos in Namibia’s largest park, Etosha, according to Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spokesperson Romeo Muyunda.
“We note with serious concern that our flagship park, Etosha National Park, is a poaching hotspot,” Muyunda said, adding that the ministry and law enforcement officers have increased efforts in the park to combat wildlife crime.
The country in Southern Africa is home to the world’s sole free-roaming black rhinos, as well as one-third of the remaining black rhinos.
Rhino poaching has plagued Southern Africa for decades, particularly in neighbouring South Africa and Botswana, prompting anti-poaching programmes such as tight enforcement and dehorning, or removing rhino horns to discourage poaching.
Namibia also has the world’s second-largest white rhino population, behind South Africa. According to the Save the Rhino Trust, there are around 200 free-roaming black rhinos in Namibia, primarily in the northeast.
Meanwhile, elephant poaching in Namibia has decreased over time, from a high of 101 elephants poached in 2015 to a low of four elephants poached last year.
