Thirty rhino poached in six months

OSHAKATI: Over 30 rhinos were reportedly poached in a period of six months alone in the Etosha National Park. The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Oshikoto Regional Commander, Commissioner Teopolina Kalompo-Nashikaku revealed this on Wednesday at a briefing with Oshana Governor Elia Irimari, constituency councillors and traditional authority councillors, on the fight against wildlife crimes in and around Etosha. Kalompo-Nashikaku is currently the gold commander, a rotational position of six months. She was appointed in March and her term ends in September 2024. According to Kalompo-Nashikaku, they have also registered 30 cases of illegal poaching, with 42 suspects having been arrested in the matter. 'Among those arrested were a few Angolans and the rest were Namibians. We have members of the security cluster that were involved. However, before that we had some members of the security cluster that were involved, hence we have strengthened our security,' she said. Kalompo-Nashikaku added that most cases that were reported either occurred inside Etosha or nearby villages in the Oshana Region where people hide out before entering the park. Oshana borders two traditional authorities - Ondonga and Uukwambi, and is a common area where poachers hide before entering Etosha. She emphasised the need for cooperation with local communities, particularly cattle post owners, to help curb wildlife poaching by coordinating with security forces for better monitoring and control. Kalompo-Nashikaku warned poachers that they will be killed if they shoot at security officials deployed to protect wild animals in the Etosha National Park. 'Our lives are in danger at all times and if there are people coming to the park and they are exchanging bullets with the trained officer, we will not take it lightly,' she warned. Meanwhile, Uukiyu-Uushona Consitutency Councillor Andreas Amundjindi urged those operating in the park to have a means of communication in the park to ensure effective operation if they are to protect the wildlife. S ource :The Namibia News Agency