Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube Bulawayo Bureau
THIRTEEN elephants were found dead in a bush between Fuller Forest and Chikandakubi area outside Victoria Falls town last Wednesday in yet another suspected case of cyanide poisoning. A villager from Chikandakubi reportedly came across the 13 carcasses near Ngwengwe Springs as he was herding cattle. It is believed that four of the elephants had been dehorned. Rangers however, managed to recover tusks from the other nine. The carcasses showed signs consistent with cyanide poisoning, which is suspected to have been administered by poachers at a nearby salt lick, a source said.
“The elephants comprised nine males and four females, nine of which were adults and the other four were sub-adults. The carcasses were discovered by a villager who was rounding up his cattle and he alerted the police and rangers,” said a source.
The source said rangers from Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and police officers attended the scene on Thursday. Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo could not be reached for comment. Between January and June 2017, a total of 14 elephants have been killed by poachers, with two more incidences being recorded in Hwange National Park two months ago.
Online Reporter