2 Hwange elephants poisoned by poachers using cyanide

HWANGE: Two elephants were killed by suspected poachers using cyanide in the Liasha area of Hwange, the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority of Zimbabwe has said. About 260 kilogrammes of cyanide has since been recovered in a bushy area, while one of the elephants had been dehorned. The carcasses were recovered on Friday last week.

Cyanide kills in the most painful, yet silent fashion, a method that helps poachers to avoid the attention of game rangers, whose mandate is to guard the animals from danger. In an interview, Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said:

“This is an issue of a national concern, that we continue to lose our wildlife heritage in this barbaric and brutal manner,” said. “Yes, it is our mandate as Zimparks to protect the wildlife heritage, but it is also everyone’s duty to safeguard wildlife.” state media