Elephants Poisoned With Cyanide
Ivory poachers in Zimbabwe have slaughtered over 80 elephants by poisoning their water holes. The killings have endangered one of the biggest herds in the world according to the country’s environment minister.
Saviour Kasukuwere, said the elephants were found dead over the last few weeks in Hwange National Park, which is the largest national park in the country. They took place whilst security forces were concentrating on the general election.
Rangers and police found cyanide, wire snares and 19 tusks after sweeping through villages located near the park which is just south of Victoria Falls.
“We are declaring war on the poachers. We are responding with all our might because our wildlife, including the elephants they are killing, are part of the natural resources and wealth that we want to benefit the people of Zimbabwe.”Mr. Kasukuwere said
Some of Africa’s largest elephant herds call Zimbabwe home with nearly half of the continents 80,000 elephants estimated to be in Hwange.
Mr. Kasukuwere who was recently appointed as minister for environment says the ministry would push for harsh penalties on anyone convicted of poaching.
Zimbabwe is seeking to revive its tourism industry and part of that revival is based on its wildlife sector which has suffered from years of neglect which many blame on the economic policies of Robert Mugabe who has been in power since Rhodesia gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1980.
