WINDHOEK, Dec. 27– Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism on Monday expressed concern regarding the recent surge in arrests linked to pangolin trafficking between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30. Romeo Muyunda, the ministerial spokesperson, said in a statement that while the increased number of suspects apprehended signifies progress in combatting the illegal trade, authorities fear that it also indicates a worrisome escalation in pangolin-related crimes. According to Muyunda, there had been 18 skins, 12 live animals and 146 scales confiscated, resulting in 23 registered cases and 38 suspects arrested from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30. “These numbers surpass that of elephant and rhino combined for this period.” He said there had only been a total of 6 live animals recovered and 19 skins confiscated from January to August. Muyunda noted pangolins are under serious threat and the ministry would like to remind the public that the trafficking of wildlife is a serious offense, and people will be arrested and sentenced for this crime.
Xinhua
