The fight against wildlife crime in Namibia faces a major set-off after the freeze of the US Government Fund for International Conservation Initiatives. The decision will affect grants previously allocated through the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the International Drug Law Enforcement Agency (INL). Important species such as elephants, black rhinoceros and pangolins, taking into account the world's most trafficked mammals, are supported by previously supported ranger businesses, law enforcement training, and the country's first special Wildlife Crime Court. Because of this, the risk increases.
Since 2018, 570 pangolins have been poached in Namibia, so conservationists have urgently acted to secure alternative resources. The WWF Namibia-led Combat Wildlife Crime Programme (CWCP) has played an important role in addressing cross-border poaching and habitat conservation. While the German government continues to provide financial support, the loss of US aid raises concerns about Namibia's ability to maintain conservation momentum. The government, alongside private conservation groups, is actively sought new funding flows to ensure the continued conservation of Namibia's biodiversity and long-term sustainability of the wildlife tourism sector. .
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Source: Namibian Sun
