Namibia's Wildlife Under Threat Amid US Funding Freeze
Namibia’s fight against wildlife crime faces a major setback following the freezing of US government funds for international conservation initiatives. The decision affects grants previously allocated through the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), which have supported efforts to combat wildlife trafficking in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA). Key species such as elephants, black rhinos, and pangolins—considered the world’s most trafficked mammal—are at heightened risk, as funding previously supported ranger operations, law enforcement training, and the country’s first special wildlife crime courts.
With 570 pangolins poached in Namibia since 2018, conservationists are urging urgent action to secure alternative resources. The Combatting Wildlife Crime Program (CWCP), led by WWF Namibia, has played a critical role in tackling cross-border poaching and habitat protection. While the German government continues to offer financial support, the loss of US aid raises concerns over Namibia’s ability to sustain conservation momentum. The government, alongside private conservation organisations, is now actively seeking new funding streams to ensure the continued protection of Namibia’s biodiversity and the long-term sustainability of its wildlife tourism sector.
Source: Namibian Sun
