WWF Namibia

Namibia has reached an important conservation milestone with the recognition of its first three Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs): NamibRand Nature Reserve, ProNamib Nature Reserve and Canyon Nature Park.

But what are OECMs, and why do they matter for biodiversity conservation? In this introductory video, WWF Namibia's Martha Talamondjila Naanda explains OECMs and introduces NamibRand Nature Reserve, setting the stage for our new video series.

Over the coming episodes, we'll meet the people and explore the partnerships and conservation efforts behind NamibRand.

Watch the introduction on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/Hi8BeBQKwro?si=p70D5DOCVgXSuUFX

Follow along as the story unfolds.

What does the future of conservation in Namibia look like? And what role will young people play in shaping it? 🇳🇦
In this interview, Ms Vichale Shikongo shares her personal conservation journey and reflects on why it is more important than ever to create opportunities for young people to engage in conservation, natural resource management, and environmental leadership.

From career pathways and mentorship to community conservation and youth participation, the discussion highlights how investing in young people today can help sustain Namibia's conservation successes for generations to come.

▶️ Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/tPEZOiGAQuY?si=oxn2KJfDnfxjIYgR

A rhino doesn't know it's World Rhino Day. It doesn't know about the ranger tracking its movements, the community helping protect its habitat, or the investigators working to stop wildlife crime. But its survival depends on all of them. This World Rhino Day, we are celebrating one of Namibia's most iconic species and the collective effort behind its protection.

Namibia is a global stronghold for black rhinos, holding one-third of Africa's black rhino population. While black rhinos 🦏 remain critically endangered, there is reason for hope. Through the dedication of conservationists, communities, government agencies, law enforcement and conservation partners, Namibia recorded its lowest rhino poaching levels in more than a decade in 2025.

Protecting rhinos requires more than boots on the ground. Behind the scenes, initiatives such as Namibia's Blue Rhino Task Team help strengthen the fight against wildlife crime by bringing together law enforcement, environmental and prosecutorial agencies to support investigations and combat poaching and wildlife trafficking.

Watch our World Rhino Day video to discover five facts about rhinos in Namibia and learn how collective action is helping to secure their future. 📢 Watch, share and help raise awareness of the people and partnerships protecting Namibia's rhinos. 💚The story of Namibia's rhinos is still being written, and thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, there is reason to be hopeful.

Where does a gemsbok go after being released into a completely new landscape?

In June 2026, nearly 190 gemsbok were translocated to the Palmwag landscape as part of ongoing efforts to support wildlife recovery in north-western Namibia following prolonged drought conditions. These translocation efforts were generously supported by the Lion Recovery Fund.

To better understand how these iconic antelope adapt after translocation, selected animals were fitted with GPS tracking tags funded through the Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF). The tracking data is already providing fascinating insights into how gemsbok explore new surroundings, locate water sources, utilise available habitat, and gradually integrate into the wider landscape.

Every movement helps conservationists build a clearer picture of wildlife recovery and resilience, informing future conservation efforts across Kunene and contributing to a better understanding of the factors that support long-term ecosystem recovery.
Watch the video to see the GPS tracks come to life as tagged gemsbok begin their journey in a new home, revealing patterns of exploration, adaptation and recovery across the Palmwag landscape.

This work highlights the power of collaboration between the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism , Lion Recovery Fund, Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), WWF Namibia, donors, researchers and local communities working together to secure a thriving future for Namibia's wildlife.

Rhino conservation is not done from behind a desk. It's done step by step, under the Namibian sun, following tracks through the dust and reading the stories the landscape leaves behind.

In Torra Conservancy, Kunene Region, our trackers spend long days on foot, searching for signs of rhinos, verifying sightings, and recording critical information through the SMART monitoring system. Every footprint, every sighting, and every data point helps build a clearer picture of where these animals are and how best to protect them.

It's meticulous work. It takes patience, expertise, and a deep commitment to conservation. But it is also one of the most effective ways Namibia keeps its rhinos safe.

Supported by Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT) through the Skeleton Coast-Etosha Conservation Bridge (SCECB) programme, these dedicated rangers show up every day for a cause bigger than themselves.