The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
The Environmental Management Agency has decontaminated most areas — mainly in Hwange — affected by cyanide poisoning which targeted elephants.
Last week, experts purified holes in Sinamatela Camp where 28 elephants died after consuming water from 34 poisoned seeps. They also treated Hwange Main Camp environs, Kariba, the Liyasha area in Hwange and Mana Pools.
Eight elephant carcasses were discovered near Hwange Main Camp and in Kariba.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, EMA spokesperson Mr Steady Kangata said the agency was working on all affected sites.
“Poachers had poisoned a total of 34 seeps over a 1,5 km stretch along Lukosi River. The seeps were, on average, 30cm deep and about 40cm in diameter. All of them had accumulated water at the time the scene was attended.
“Twenty-three adult elephants and five calves were found dead at the scene. All the 34 seeps were decontaminated, with 40kgs of iron sulphate used. All the poisoned seeps were mapped and two tonnes of sand material were removed and buried off-site.”
Poisoning timeline
2013 (July-Sept): Hwange National Park At least 100 elephants
2014 : Zambezi National Park Six elephants
2015 (August) : Mana Pools One lion, several baboons & other small animals
(September) : Matusadona, Kariba Three elephants
Liyasha, Hwange Five elephants
Hwange Main Camp Five elephants
(October) Sinamatela Camp, Hwange 28 elephants
Many other elephants were also killed in other parts of Hwange National Park
