Namibia not to consider legalizing ivory, rhino horn trade

Xinhua – The Ministry of Environment and Tourism last week said that the country will not consider legalizing the trade of rhino horns and elephant tusks.

Spokesman in the Ministry, Romeo Muyunda, explained that the 1975 Nature Conversation Ordinance Act which governs the trade on Namibian wildlife outlaws the trade of rhino horns and tusks of endangered specifies.

According to Muyunda, the Ministry’s focus is on mitigating and curbing poaching through various measure and interventions including the deployment of staff members to wildlife protection services.

He also added that the Ministry reviewed the 1975 Nature conversation ordinance which makes provision for increased penalties related to illegal wildlife hunting from a N$200,000 to N$2 million fine or 25 years imprisonment.

In 2016, about 222 people suspected of poaching or illegal possession of rhino horns and tusks were arrested. The efforts are yielding positive results. “So far in 2017, we only have about 8 rhinos and 4 elephants poached, which is significantly low compared to the same time last year,” said Muyunda.