Namibia is one of 175 countries that together have a total of 5000 animal and plant species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES) which regulates their international trade and use.

Black Rhino

The Black Rhino is one of four species that is listed under Appendix I within Namibia, according to which the species is considered to be threatened with extinction and trade is only permitted under exceptional circumstances.

Controls

According to conservation scientist Elly Hamunyela-Shiimi, the deputy director of Scientific Services in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism Namibia is only allowed to put forward five black rhinos for trophy hunting annually. These rhino must be male and post reproductive, and must be identified by the ministry before being provided for trophy hunting.

Stipulations

The other species listed under Appendix I are leopard, cheetah and white rhino and these have their own stipulations and exceptions.

Namibia is able to export any number of white rhino under CITIES, however this number must be sustainable and not for commercial use.

250 leopards can be offered annually by Namibia for trophy hunting, and a total of 150 are permitted to be used for trophy hunting and as live specimens.

At Risk

Namibia is also home to a number species listed under Appendix II of CITIES, which are considered to be at risk of becoming endangered and so trade must be managed carefully. These species are elephants, Cape fur seals, mountain zebras, caracals, African wild cats, lions, crocodiles, all parrots, hoodia plants, all euphorbia species and orchids.

Elephants

CITIES allows Namibia to give 90 elephants annually to trophy hunting; live animal export for conservation purposes; hide for leather goods and other commercial purposes; and for trade in carved ivory strictly for non-commercial purposes.

Namibia currently does not have any animals listed under Appendix III, these are species that are protected in one country that has asked other member nations of CITIES for help in controlling trade.

Model

Nambia continues to be commited to the protection of its habitat and wildlife and is held up as a model of successful biodiversity conservation in Africa. Unlike many of its African neighbours it appears to be beating the battle against poachers and so is able to focus on long term conservation goals. As the populations of species such as rhino and elephants increase year  by year the country is able to reap the rewards of eco tourism and is one of the few countries allowed by CITIES to trade in small amounts of ivory and use animals for trophy hunting.

The black rhino may be thriving in Namibia, but it is still extremely threatened in other parts of Africa. By adopting a rhino with WWF, you will be helping to ensure that the organisations efforts to protect and conserve this amazing creature can continue.

WWF is one of the key organisations for raising awareness of where conservation is succeding as well as where it is failing. They play a crucial role in providing independent information and non-govermental support for CITES investigations and monitoring. They are only able to do this with help and support from the public though, so pledge your support to cotinued wildlife welfare vigilance and join WWF today.