admin Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
TWO more elephants carcasses suspected to have been poisoned with cyanide were discovered at Ndolwane area, Bulilima District, bringing to 108 the number of jumbos killed so far.A total of 101 elephant carcasses were discovered at the Hwange National Park while five were found at Ngamo Forest, an area in Lupane after they were poisoned by poaching syndicate.
In an interview yesterday, Bulilima Rural District Council’s chief executive officer Mr John Brown Ncube confirmed having received the report.
“We were alerted by the headman of Ndolwane area on Sunday about the elephant carcasses that were discovered by villagers in the area. A team of comprising officials from the council, Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority were deployed to the area.
“We suspect the animals could have been poisoned but we are still investigating. The two elephant carcasses were still fresh and had their tusks when they were discovered,” said Mr Ncube.
He said tests were being conducted to ascertain the exact cause of the deaths.
“We are still waiting for a report to ascertain whether the death of elephants is a result of cyanide poisoning. If results come out positive, then it means we have a serious problem since the chemical is also harmful to people and other animals likely to feed on the carcasses,” said Mr Ncube.
A council official, who visited the scene, said a container believed to have been used in the storage of poisoned water, was found yesterday morning.
“Initially, we suspected that the elephants could have been shot but then realised that they did not have any wounds. Further investigations led to the discovery of an empty container near the site where the elephants were lying dead.
“This container is suspected to have contained poisoned water. A trap targeting elephants had also been set close to the container and there was a dead vulture raising suspicions that the elephants could have been poisoned,” said the official.
An officer from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority in Bulilima District confirmed that two elephant carcasses were discovered in the district, in a suspected case of cyanide poisoning.
He however, referred further questions to his seniors. Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson, Ms Caroline Washaya-Moyo, could not be reached for comment as her phone was not reachable.
The merciless killing of elephants and other wildlife species has made headlines across the globe with leaders from all over the country condemning the practice.
Soon after its detection, the Government reacted swiftly and appointed an eight-member ministerial task force led by the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, to investigate the issue and take appropriate measures.
The Government has also indicated that it was considering deploying the military to beef up security at the park and protect wildlife.
Rehabilitation efforts to detoxicate the affected areas are also underway as the Government seeks to ensure that poisoning does not affect human beings and livestock.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter