A volunteer displays pangolin replica products during an event to raise awareness on saving pangolin in Windhoek, Namibia, on Feb. 19, 2022. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)
WINDHOEK, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has recorded a total of 320 cases of crimes involving pangolins in the last five years since 2017, a government official said Saturday as the country celebrated World Pangolin Day.
The figures consisted of 43 cases in 2017, 62 in 2018, 96 in 2019, 59 in 2020 and 60 in 2021, said Romeo Muyunda, the spokesperson for the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, in a statement.
"Authorities have confiscated 1,505 pangolin products which include 15 carcasses; 81 live animals, 193 skins; 6 skin pieces and 1,210 scales from suspects. We have since intensified our efforts against wildlife crimes including those committed against pangolins in Namibia," he said.
According to Muyunda, the ministry has formed alliances and collaborations with key stakeholders including civil organizations, law enforcement agencies, private sector institutions and members of the public.
"Because of this collaboration coupled with other measures put in place against pangolin crimes, 592 suspects have been apprehended since 2017. Together with other partner organizations and institutions, we have set up a reward scheme for information leading to the arrest of people catching, killing, trading and trafficking pangolins," he said.
Muyunda said members of the public are encouraged to aid authorities in catching culprits involved in pangolin crimes, not necessarily for the reward, but for the protection and preservation of this species.
"If someone is in possession of any of these products and they are found guilty by a court in Namibia, then they are liable for a fine of up to 15 million Namibia dollars (991,938 U.S. dollars) or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both a fine and imprisonment up to the stated amounts. Perpetrators are therefore cautioned to stop crimes against pangolins or risk being caught to face the full wrath of our law," he added. ■
Pangolin replica products are displayed during an event to raise awareness on saving pangolin in Windhoek, Namibia, on Feb. 19, 2022. Namibia has recorded a total of 320 cases of crimes involving pangolins in the last five years since 2017, a government official said Saturday as the country celebrated World Pangolin Day. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)
