The new year has begun with some positive conservation news via Reuters – the Namibian government has reported a steady downward trend in the poaching of rhinos and elephants. This is after authorities increased the frequency of anti-poaching patrols as well as sharply increasing fines for offenders.
In 2020, 30 rhinos and 11 elephants were poached in Namibia, down from 50 rhinos and 13 elephants in 2019.
While the loss of 30 rhinos is still a tragedy, this decline in poaching numbers is proof that the Namibian government’s efforts are working. This is particularly important since Namibia is home to a third of the world’s remaining black rhino population.
Read the full article here.