11 more elephants poisoned at Zimbabwe reserve

HARARE

At least 11 more elephants died after being poisoned at Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve by poachers last week, bringing the number of jumbos killed since May to 106, officials said on Tuesday.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) said two men have been arrested in connection with the latest case of poaching at the Hwange National Park.

The suspects allegedly poisoned the elephants with cyanide at watering points before dehorning them.

“The elephants were killed last week but the suspects were arrested Monday and several pieces of ivory recovered,” said Zimparks public relations manager Caroline Washaya-Moyo.

“Six of the tusks were found on the side of a railway line that passes through the game park. Seven tusks were found on the scene of the crime where the elephants died.”

The mass deaths of elephants at one of Africa’s biggest game reserves were first discovered last month after more than 96 carcasses were found.

Seven people were arrested last month and two were jailed for 18 years each.

They were further ordered to pay $600 000 restitution to Zimparks by December 31, 2013.

A taskforce set up by government to investigate the poaching was last week told that almost every household in villagers bordering the Hwange Park had cyanide that they used to ward off elephants straying from the reserve.

The vast park, which is roughly the size of Switzerland, has an elephant population of 45,000 against a carrying capacity of 14,600.

The government last month said Zimparks had not been able to adequately manage poaching due to sanctions imposed against the country’s leadership over a decade ago.