Since 2018 a total of 570 pangolins have been poached from the wild in Namibia according to documented cases.
This is according to the spokesperson of the environment ministry Romeo Muyunda who on World Pangolin Day reconfirmed Namibia’s commitment to pangolin conservation.
World Pangolin Day took place on Saturday to create awareness about pangolins and highlight the severe threats that they face.
Muyunda said that the ministry reaffirms its dedication to protecting Namibia’s pangolins, their ecological importance and the urgent need to combat threats such as habitat loss and illegal trafficking.
“To address our concerns of pangolin trafficking, the government has developed a National Species Plan in collaboration with the Namibian Pangolin Working Group which will be released this year.”
Muyunda added that the government remains committed to strengthening conservation efforts through legislation, enforcement and collaboration with local communities and NGO’s such as the Pangolin Conservation and Research Foundation.
“Through this partnership, we have rescued, released and monitored 35 pangolins over the
past four years. Our goal is to ensure the long-term survival of pangolins and to protect our nation’s biodiversity.”
Muyunda said that as they celebrate World Pangolin Day, they commemorate the day in honor of the life and legacy of the late Founding President Dr. Sam Nujoma.
“As the first democratically elected president, Nujoma was instrumental in shaping Namibia’s commitment to conservation, and embedding environmental protection into the country’s Constitution—making Namibia the first nation to do so.”
Muyunda said that Nujoma’s dedication to safeguarding Namibia’s natural heritage laid the foundation for a conservation model that empowers communities, supports biodiversity and ensures that species like the pangolin remain protected for future generations.
“In honouring his legacy we reaffirm our responsibility to uphold Namibia’s commitment to wildlife conservation and the sustainable management of our natural resources. Furthermore we must embrace his foresightedness to ensure our pangolins and other wild animals are protected to benefit Namibians current and future generations.
Muyunda added that the trafficking of wildlife is a serious offense, and to date the heaviest sentence was 9 years direct imprisonment and the heaviest fine N$800 000 for the trafficking of a pangolin or its parts.
This is according to the spokesperson of the environment ministry Romeo Muyunda who on World Pangolin Day reconfirmed Namibia’s commitment to pangolin conservation.
World Pangolin Day took place on Saturday to create awareness about pangolins and highlight the severe threats that they face.
Muyunda said that the ministry reaffirms its dedication to protecting Namibia’s pangolins, their ecological importance and the urgent need to combat threats such as habitat loss and illegal trafficking.
“To address our concerns of pangolin trafficking, the government has developed a National Species Plan in collaboration with the Namibian Pangolin Working Group which will be released this year.”
Muyunda added that the government remains committed to strengthening conservation efforts through legislation, enforcement and collaboration with local communities and NGO’s such as the Pangolin Conservation and Research Foundation.
“Through this partnership, we have rescued, released and monitored 35 pangolins over the
past four years. Our goal is to ensure the long-term survival of pangolins and to protect our nation’s biodiversity.”
Muyunda said that as they celebrate World Pangolin Day, they commemorate the day in honor of the life and legacy of the late Founding President Dr. Sam Nujoma.
“As the first democratically elected president, Nujoma was instrumental in shaping Namibia’s commitment to conservation, and embedding environmental protection into the country’s Constitution—making Namibia the first nation to do so.”
Muyunda said that Nujoma’s dedication to safeguarding Namibia’s natural heritage laid the foundation for a conservation model that empowers communities, supports biodiversity and ensures that species like the pangolin remain protected for future generations.
“In honouring his legacy we reaffirm our responsibility to uphold Namibia’s commitment to wildlife conservation and the sustainable management of our natural resources. Furthermore we must embrace his foresightedness to ensure our pangolins and other wild animals are protected to benefit Namibians current and future generations.
Muyunda added that the trafficking of wildlife is a serious offense, and to date the heaviest sentence was 9 years direct imprisonment and the heaviest fine N$800 000 for the trafficking of a pangolin or its parts.
