Quick action by law enforcement officers in the Oshikoto Region led to the arrest of two men on Tuesday, believed to have been preparing to enter Etosha National Park to hunt rhinos illegally.
The suspects, aged 41 and 28, were picked up at Onamutenya village in the Omuntele Constituency, a settlement that lies along the northern boundary of the park.
Police reports indicate the men were caught with a hunting rifle equipped with a telescope and silencer, twenty live bullets, three knives, as well as food supplies including seven loaves of bread and twelve tins of canned meat. Officers said the suspects failed to provide convincing explanations about their intentions when questioned.
Both men now face multiple charges, including conspiracy to hunt specially protected wildlife, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition without a license.
Authorities have praised the operation, noting that vigilance in areas surrounding Etosha remains crucial to safeguarding Namibia’s rhino population from poaching syndicates.
