Bleeding Trees: Tracking Illegal Loggers in Namibia

John Grobler’s Namibian holiday led him on an unexpected journey tailing trucks and loggers to expose the interests behind illegal logging, a lucrative and illegal business making millions for Chinese companies and local elites.In this episode Nick Wallis traces OCCRP’s investigation into who is killing the last of Namibia’s protected rosewood trees. We also hear from OCCRP journalist Khadija Sharife on how the tragic destruction of these prized forests fits into the wider looting of Africa’s natural resources.Finally, sustainability expert Dr. Clemens von Doderer analyzes the causes of Namibia’s illegal logging and what needs to be done to put an end to deforestation.Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa.Read the investigations:Felling Namibia’s Ancient Giants‘They Are Finishing the Trees’: Chinese Companies and Namibian Elites Make Millions Illegally Logging the Last RosewoodsThis week’s guestsJohn Grobler - @JohnGrblrKhadija Sharife - @khadijasharifeDr. Clemens von DodererTranscriptRead the transcript on the OCCRP website hereMore information on OCCRPKeep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption at OCCRP and sign up for our weekly newsletter.Follow on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to get the latest updates.Support investigative journalism in the public interest. Donate to OCCRP.[00:00] Introduction[02:33] Khadija explains why she commissioned an investigation into Namibian rosewood[05:18] John gives a crash course on Namibia[06:20] Why Chinese demand for rosewood trees is increasing[08:03] Why and how John began investigating rosewood logging[13:38] An explainer on CITES and why it’s important for threatened species[16:13] How Namibia’s political and legal system fuels illegal logging[18:55] What it’s like to take on a government as a lone journalist[20:25] Can the redwoods be saved?[24:33] Dr Clemens von Doderer explains the causes of illegal logging in Namibia[27:26] How can illegal logging be stopped?This podcast was originally produced in Spanish. Following recent events in Venezuela, we are sharing it with a wider audience through this human-reviewed AI translation. This is an experiment, so minor imperfections may be present. Original Spanish podcast below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5inyH4WRo1H82KgvmnmUHhApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cuello-blanco-manos-sucias/id1872501127We welcome your feedback on this experiment at occrp.org/podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.