Namibia has reported the lowest cases of elephant and rhino poaching since 2016, according to data released by the ministry of environment and tourism.
The southern African country registered 101 cases of elephant poaching, while 61 rhinos were killed in 2016.
The Namibian reports that elephant poaching has since then been on a steady decline, with 50 elephants poached in 2017, 27 in 2018 and 12 in 2019.
Rhino poaching varied as 52 were killed in 2017 and 70 in 2018, while 45 were slaughtered in 2019 – the lowest since 2015.
“Since poaching started, we have prioritised the issue of intelligence so that we are able to stop poaching before it happens, instead of just responding to poaching cases,” Environment and tourism ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda was quoted as saying.
He said the ministry received assistance from the police and the Namibian Defence Force.
“The police are responsible for security, especially at Etosha, and are patrolling and manning our national parks,” he said.
Muyunda also said public tip offs of suspicious activities had contributed to the ministry's ability to halt culprits in their tracks.
“People who help us with successful arrests are rewarded. I think that, and the patriotism of our people, has led to the arrest of perpetrators,” he said.
