Namibia Loses 12 Rhinos 11 Elephants to Poachers

id Rhinos dan Elephants Loses

Windhoek, April 13 (ANTARA Lampung/Xinhua-OANA) - Seven carcasses of rhinos have been found in Namibia's biggest game reserve Etosha National Park since January this year.

Environment and tourism permanent secretary Simeon Negumbo said Sunday that this discovery brings to 11 the number of rhinos killed in the national park since October last year.

Negumbo said this year alone, the country has lost 12 rhinos after another five carcasses were discovered in Kunene.

Between February and now, 11 elephant carcasses were found across the country ¨C nine in the Zambezi region and two in Kavango East.

All in all, Namibia reported losing 24 rhinos and 76 elephants last year.

To fight the escalating cases of poaching, Negumbo said the tourism ministry has offered a 30,000 Namibia dollar (2,500 U.S. dollars) reward to any person who report poaching.

In addition, Negumbo said they have increased patrol teams and intensified ground and aerial patrols in affected areas.

He further said his ministry is working and cooperating with the Namibian Police and the Namibian Defense Force in that regard.