In Etosha National Park, the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) can now take even better action against poachers. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) handed over a water tanker to the park authorities. It will also be used to supply the APU patrols. This increases their radius of action and allows for more flexible operations.
Time and again, rangers discover carcasses of poached rhinos. In 2024, the number exceeded 46 (see New Era report). The total number of rhinos poached in 2024 has not yet been published.
In addition, the Etosha National Park received a dropside lorry. Both vehicles are also used for the construction and maintenance of fences.
They also help the teams to create firebreaks to contain bushfires and maintain roads. If necessary, the lorries are deployed to other national parks and protected areas.
The total value of the two vehicles is 7.13 million Namibian Dollar (currently over 330,000 Euro; Euro amount according to the current exchange rate 1 Rand = 1 N$). The purchase was financed with funds from the Game Products Trust Fund (GPTF). This fund for nature conservation measures is filled with contributions from trophy hunting.
The 'Namutoni Environmental Education Centre' received new equipment worth around 150,000 Namibia Dollar (around 7,000 Euro; Euro amount at the current exchange rate). It consists of a projector, two computers, three screens, a printer and two laptops.
The central task of the education centre is to raise the environmental awareness of pupils and students. Its topics include climate change, biodiversity, wildlife conservation, solutions to human-animal conflicts and waste management. The centre also provides advice on career choices in the field of environmental management.
Sven-Eric Stender