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Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) public relations manager, Ms Caroline Washaya- Moyo, said 28 elephants were killed in the central region while 10 black rhinos where killed in the western region.
She also said other animals being poached were kudus, impala, crocodiles, zebras, water bucks and warthogs in all regions.
“Twenty-eight elephants were killed in central region, 21 in northern region, 12 in the southern region and 10 in the western region. One white rhino and 10 black rhinos were poached in the western region,” said Ms Washaya-Moyo.
She said the value of one adult elephant was $50 000 and that of the black rhino was $120 000.
“The total cost of elephant poached was $3 550 000 and that of both rhino species $220 000,” said Ms Washaya-Moyo.
She said that the animals were illegally killed from park estates while the rhinos were killed in park estates and private land.
Ms Washaya-Moyo said the compensation value was reached using Statutory Instrument 57 of 2012.
She said when resources are deliberately directed towards anti-poaching of flagship animals then automatically the rest of wildlife is also protected.
“This year a total of 100 rhinos were immobilised for ear-notching and horn implanting to facilitate individual identification and monitoring in the field and dehorned to create disinterest to poachers,” she said.
Ms Washaya-Moyo said Zimparks endeavoured to conserve and preserve the country’s wildlife heritage and has come up with a number of strategies to ensure protection of flagship species.
She said:
“The anti-poaching units which are the backbone of wildlife conservation with special attention to the endangered species such as the elephant and the rhino, both black and white, resources are also deliberately channelled towards anti-poaching activities.
“Over the years, a number of activities have been performed to protect the rhino which is poached for its horns which scientifically have been proved not to have any medicinal properties.”
The rhino is targeted for its horns, which some people wrongly believe have medicinal capability, but scientific research has proved that they do not have such properties.
Ms Washaya-Moyo also said the authority had deliberately created intensive protection zones (IPZ) meant for the protection of rhinos.
“The authority continuously trains its officers and works in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“There is also cross-border collaboration with our neighbours on issues to do with wildlife. Back home, we also hold wildlife crime workshops which are meant to, among other things, sensitise stakeholders of wildlife crime and familiarise other law enforcement agents with wildlife laws,” she said.
Online Reporter