Since the discovery of 31 rhino bodies in a week at the Etosha National Park in Namibia the number of dead rhinos have soared. While officially the number of rhino bodies discovered so far this year is 54 unofficial local sources have put the figure at 85. The new bodies have been discovered since the launch of a police investigation.
Of particular concern is the discovery of 5 fresh bodies found in the western part of the park. The rhinos were found close to ranger stations and a local source says that evidence found at the scene included bullet casings believed to have come from 9mm Mausers which are the standard issue weapons given to Namibia’s ranger service.
While not disclosing details, Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta has spoken to local media in Etosha and expressed concerns over the possible involvement of rangers and park management in the poaching. Speaking to the Namibian Sun he said, “They are either negligent or sleeping. I cannot understand how this can happen in close proximity of their camps. How can someone just loot while our staff is there and no one is aware of anything. This is negligence or they are not doing their job as they should.”
Shifeta said immediate action would be taken to address the situation in Etosha. “I want action now.”
He told the press that ballistic tests will be carried out on the bullet casings found and will be compared to a database of firearms that the government holds and any illegal firearms seized would be tested.
While he acknowledged that local rumors tied in senior park management and rangers in to the poaching gangs he did not say whether the firearms of local rangers would also be tested for connection with the casings.
He went on to describe that DNA samples will be taken from the bodies of the rhinos found to be used by international organizations to check against the samples of seized rhino horns.
