Zibwabwe court jails poacher for 15 years
An elephants killed by poachers. A Zimbabwean court has sentenced a poacher to 15 years imprisonment. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- He is the fourth poacher to get a harsh sentence after the mass deaths of elephants at the Hwange National Park
- 100 elephants have died after being poisoned by poachers
- The vast park has an elephant population of 45,000
HARARE
A Zimbabwean court has sentenced a poacher to 15 years imprisonment in connection with the killing of 11 elephants.
Akim Masuku, 26, became the fourth poacher to get a harsh sentence after the mass deaths of elephants at the Hwange National Park was first discovered last month.
He was also found guilty for the illegal possession of ivory and still faces separate charges of cyanide possession as well as contravening environmental laws.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) says 100 elephants have died after being poisoned by poachers at the game sanctuary in the last few months.
But environmentalists have put the figure at 106.
The vast park, which is roughly the size of Switzerland, has an elephant population of 45,000 against a carrying capacity of 14,600.
