WINDHOEK, July 11 -- Namibian artists are taking a stand for wildlife protection through an exhibition at the Omba Art Gallery in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.

Titled "Save us from Fading," the exhibition, which opened on June 18 and runs until July 14, features a collection of over 70 art pieces, including linocuts, paintings and sculptures created by local artists Jeremia Haihambo and Nghiwilepo Tuhafeni, all depicting rhinoceros and other endangered wildlife.

According to Haihambo, the artworks, crafted over a year ago, serve as a reminder of the urgent need to combat rhinoceros poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, which pose significant challenges for the southern African nation.

"Ongoing poaching has inspired us to come together in solidarity to advocate for the survival and justice of the last remaining species of rhinoceros in our country and Africa as a whole," said Haihambo Thursday.

Namibia has been facing losses in its wildlife due to the continuous threat of rhinoceros poaching, especially of highly valued species such as pangolins. Pohamba Shifeta, minister of environment, forestry and tourism, said that the number of rhinoceros poached increased from 79 in 2022 to 83 in 2023 and that there was a significant increase in pangolin seizures in 2023 following a decline in 2022.

"Art serves as a powerful call for the care and protection of wildlife," Haihambo said.

Meanwhile, the artists aim to maximize art to change perceptions and attitudes toward nature. For Tuhafeni, the exhibition also aims to increase awareness about the significance of rhinoceros to the country's economy.

"Neglecting the environment will have a detrimental impact on our tourism sector, as our nature, biodiversity, culture and wildlife are major attractions for visitors, deriving benefits for local communities," he said.

Namibia's tourism sector contributed an estimated 6.9 percent to the country's gross domestic product in 2022, according to the Namibia Tourism Satellite Account Report for 2022.

The proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to Save the Rhino Trust, a local nonprofit organization, and also support the artists' studies at the local governmental college of the arts.

  - Xinhua