Poachers In Zimbabwe Kill 90 Elephants By Poisoning Water Holes With Cyanide

Poachers in Zimbabwe killed close to 90 elephants by poisoning water holes with cyanide.

Saviour Kasukuwere, the country’s environment minister, said that 87 elephants were killed last week at Hwange National Park. Several other animals that drank from the watering holes were also killed.

The Guardian reports that park rangers recovered wire snares, cyanide, and more than a dozen tusks during a sweep of the villages close to the park. Authorities have also made several arrests.

According to Fox News, three poachers in Zimbabwe were sentenced to at least 15 years in prison.

Kasukuwere said: “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.”

A total of nine people have been arrested in relation to the incident in Hwange National Park. Police are still investigating the case.

Drew McVey, African species expert at the World Wildlife Fund, said: “This kind of indiscriminate killing is truly horrendous. By poisoning a watering hole, poachers condemn every other animal feeding in that vicinity – from lions and leopards to vultures and bird life… It just goes to show the lengths poachers are now willing to go to in order to obtain ivory without detection.”

NBC reports that police have already recovered 51 of a possible 174 tusks. Kasukuwere said that he would not rest until all of the tusks were found.

Kasukuwere said: “We are determined to find all the tusks to stop people hunting these beautiful creatures.”