WINDHOEK: Namibia has recorded 26 poaching incidences since January, spokesperson of the Environment and Tourism Ministry Romeo Muyunda said Monday. According to the statistics, seven elephants and 19 rhinos were poached since January.
In May, the ministry recorded 18 incidences during which eight animals were killed. Muyunda said the poaching incidences were recorded from mainly private and custodian farms while six poaching incidences were recorded in the national parks namely Etosha and Waterberg.
Last year, a total of 57 rhinos and 26 elephants were poached while 120 suspected poachers were arrested.
The ministry is currently lobbying for harsher punishments for those found guilty of poaching. Last year, the ministry established an Anti-Poaching Unit to help curb poaching.