Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has reaffirmed its commitment to pangolin conservation.
This initiative, created in collaboration with the Namibian Pangolin Working Group, is set for release in 2025.
With the release of the National Species Management Plan on the horizon, Namibia aims to set an example in species conservation to the rest of the world, ensuring that its pangolin population is safeguarded for future generations.
Romeo Muyunda, the ministry’s spokesperson said in a statement released on Saturday, World Pangolin Day, that since 2018, at least 570 pangolins have been poached in documented cases.
Muyunda reiterated the urgency of protecting the species, noting that pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals globally due to the demand for their scales and meat in traditional medicine and exotic cuisine.
According to Muyunda, Namibia is home to the Temminck’s ground pangolin, one of the eight pangolin species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
“Namibia has a strong conservation legacy. Our late founding president, Sam Nujoma, was instrumental in embedding environmental protection into the country’s Constitution, making Namibia the first nation to do so. His dedication to safeguarding our natural heritage laid the foundation for a conservation model that supports biodiversity and empowers communities,” he said.
According to Muyunda, the government’s strategy includes strengthening conservation legislation, enhancing law enforcement, and fostering partnerships with organisations such as the Pangolin Conservation and Research Foundation.
Through these collaborations, 35 pangolins have been rescued, rehabilitated, and monitored over the past four years.
Muyunda warned that wildlife trafficking is a serious offence in Namibia.
“Offenders face severe penalties, with sentences of up to nine years in prison or fines of up to N$800,000. The government is committed to ensuring the long-term survival of pangolins and protecting our nation’s biodiversity,” he said.
On the occasion of World Pangolin Day, Namibia reiterated its call for global cooperation to protect the species and combat the threats posed by poaching and habitat loss.
The day also served as a tribute to Dr Sam Nujoma’s enduring conservation legacy.
According to Muyunda, the environment ministry in its efforts to engage the public, encouraged people to report any illegal wildlife activities to the 55555 SMS line.
“Together, we can ensure a future where pangolins thrive in the wild,” Muyunda said.
With the 2025 release of the National Species Management Plan on the horizon, Namibia aims to set an example in species conservation to the rest of the world, ensuring that its pangolin population is safeguarded for future generations.
