Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has improved conservation operations in the Etosha National Park with the handover of two new trucks, valued at just over N$7.1 million.
The vehicles—a Mercedes-Benz 33 Series dropside truck and a Powerstar water tank truck—were officially delivered during a brief ceremony at Okaukuejo on Saturday.
The trucks were procured through funds from the Game Products Trust Fund, which channels revenue from the sustainable use of wildlife resources back into conservation efforts.
The fund has enabled the ministry to invest in essential infrastructure and equipment aimed at strengthening park management across Namibia.
Environment minister Indileni Daniel said the trucks will play a central role in supporting anti-poaching patrols, maintaining park infrastructure, and preventing veld fires.
“These vehicles will be instrumental in our anti-poaching efforts, maintenance of tourist roads and fences, creation and upkeep of firebreaks, and the overall management and preservation of the park,” she said.
The minister, who assumed office less than a month ago, described the handover as an example of how targeted investments can improve the capacity of field staff and contribute to the long-term viability of Namibia’s protected areas.
“These trucks will significantly enhance our operational capacity by providing essential water supplies to anti-poaching patrols and staff in the field, supporting fence construction and maintenance teams, and facilitating road maintenance and firebreak creation to mitigate veld fires,” she explained.
According to the minister, park staff often face challenging conditions, with large distances between work stations, limited access to water, and the constant threat of wildlife crime.
In this context, the new trucks are expected to ease logistical constraints and improve the response time of field teams.
The minister added that beyond Etosha, the vehicles may be deployed to assist in other national parks and conservation areas, depending on operational requirements.
“This flexibility ensures that the ministry can respond swiftly to emerging threats across the country’s vast network of protected areas,” she said.
Daniel urged ministry personnel to ensure that the vehicles are used responsibly and maintained diligently.
“I urge all of us to ensure that these vital assets are used responsibly and well-maintained, as they play a key role in safeguarding the park’s natural heritage,” she said.
The minister inspected the new vehicles and handed over the keys to park officials.
Daniel said that the addition of the trucks is part of a broader push by the ministry to improve working conditions for staff on the ground and protect Namibia’s natural heritage through sustainable management and operational readiness.
“With poaching syndicates growing increasingly sophisticated, logistical readiness has become as important as ranger training and surveillance technology,” she said.
She indicated that plans for the future will include additional equipment acquisitions, infrastructure upgrades, and renewed training of frontline conservation workers.
The Etosha National Park is one of Namibia’s most renowned wildlife destinations, drawing thousands of visitors annually.
The minister said that its success as a conservation area depends not only on biodiversity and scenic beauty, but also on sound infrastructure and efficient management.
