Africa News
Namibian government beefs up anti-poaching measures─── 07:09 Tue, 27 Jan 2015
Windhoek - The Namibian government will beef up protection for rhinos and elephants and tighten laws to curb increased poaching, which suddenly surged last year.
A spokesperson for environment and tourism, Colgar Sikopop, says this means increasing patrols on the ground, which require more manpower and equipment for staff.
He says government is currently reviewing the old Wildlife Ordinance of 1975 to map out a national strategy on wildlife protection including stiffer sentences for poaching and possession of wildlife products.
The ministry had called for a conference with stakeholders, including the private sector, to stem poaching.
Namibia lost 76 elephants and 24 rhinos to poachers last year, according to official figures. Three elephants in north eastern Namibia were poached since the start of this year.
Sapa
