Political Perspective
By: Gwen Lister
ALTHOUGH government, especially under former Minister of Environment and Tourism Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been acknowledged for a job done well in encouraging conservation in general and virtually eliminating poaching of rhino in particular since the 90s, it is time that Namibians themselves realise the importance of wildlife for our country. It is not only about our geographical aesthetics but it is also about attracting tourists, one of the biggest income generators in Namibia.
EXPERTS have cautioned that the recent killing of a black rhino for its horns has raised fears that the poaching epidemic in neighbouring South Africa may be moving across the border into our country, and if this happens, it could well spell disaster for the estimated 2000-strong rhino population as well as Namibia itself.
Word has it that following the recent incident in the ‘Damaraland’ area, which resulted not only in the loss of the female rhino in question, but also her calf, authorities acted speedily and with investigative diligence, in apprehending her killer. The horns were retrieved and a Namibian man arrested.
In 2012 it is estimated that some 633 rhino have been killed in South Africa alone. The demand for rhino horn derivatives, believed to have aphrodisiac properties as well as being anti carcinogenic and an amulet, comes mainly from Asia, and locals are used to kill them, undoubtedly because of the financial rewards which are being offered.
There is an ongoing debate, often a very heated and emotional one, about the coexistence of local communities along with wildlife, in particular elephants, also including cheetah. Government’s endeavours to protect this important natural resource - namely our wildlife - often leads to Namibians accusing them of valuing the life of animals above those of humans.
Only this week a commercial farmer in the Outjo district shot and killed and elephant, claiming they were a menace in the area and that this particular one had threatened his life. This too was a female elephant, also with a calf.
Certainly a solution needs to be found for the human-wildlife conflict, and while it is a vexatious and difficult issue, government needs to do its part to at least try to relocate especially larger species like elephant, away from such communities in order to minimise loss of human and animal life as well as destruction of property.
But in the case of the poaching of rhino, for example, it is clear that the killing has only one motivation - money. And while government may arrest and charge the perpetrators, this in itself is not going to solve the problem. There is a need to find out just who is behind the poaching and inducing poaching by offering large sums of money for rhino horn. (Not only rhino, but also elephant for the ivory and reportedly even the Caprivi Hornbill for its beak, are ‘wanted’ species). For this is an industry run by foreigners (in our case it is hinted at, mostly Chinese cartels), and one which is threatening our wildlife and thereby our tourism and of course, ultimately, employment and job creation as well. This is what Namibians often fail to realise. A country such as ours, decimated of protected species and wildlife in general, is simply not going to attract foreign visitors, and the loss, as a result, will be catastrophic.
So the challenge is for government to find a solution to the human-wildlife conflict, teaching locals to protect our precious resources, hopefully achieving some peaceful coexistence, while also following up vigorously to determine who is responsible for the carnage.
The argument that human life is valued less than that of wildlife is neither true nor fair, but this unfortunately, is a perception out there, particularly in rural and farming communities. Government needs to guard against this and more work needs to be done among those communities to seek alternatives to the gun being the only answer. If we fail to address a growing poaching problem, we ourselves will be the losers in terms of loss of income and ultimately, fewer jobs.
Environment is a more key ministry than many may think, and it is to be hoped that the new minister will follow in the footsteps of Nandi-Ndwaitwah in making conservation a priority, and also exposing the sinister forces behind the poaching of protected species.
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