To help combat rhino and elephant poaching, members of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) donated goods valued at N$1.987 million for auction.
Although no incidence of rhino and elephant poaching has been recorded in the country since May, the statistics are still alarming, with 60 rhinos poached and 23 elephants killed so far this year.
As of May, the illegal poaching of rhinos and elephants has been reported to be contained following a successful anti-poaching operation in which the police arrested 29 people involved in a trans-national poaching syndicate operating in and near Etosha National Park.
Etosha, which recorded 54 cases of rhinos poached in May, is now under the control of Nampol.
The Bwabwata National Park and the Palmwag area in the Kunene Region is also under the security of Nampol.
To help fight poaching, the Big Game Committee of NAPHA decided to host an auction with the aim to raise funds for anti-poaching initiatives.
The event organiser, Gloudie Knipe, said NAPHA will host a formal dinner and live auction to raise funds at the Country Club Resort and Casino.
He said the funds will be used to set up anti-poaching units and provide training for members of such units.
The resources, Knipe explained, will only be available to NAPHA members in concession areas and on private land.
NAPHA members donated hunts for the Hunters United against Poaching live auction, which will be led by one of Namibia’s premier auctioneers, Alex McDonald. These include five game hunts, 13 trophy plains game hunts and 11 biltong hunts. The guest artist for the evening will be Bok van Blerk.
All profits from the auction will be paid into a trust fund managed by members of NAPHA.