The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporters
Thirteen elephants were last week killed through cyanide poisoning in Hwange National Park, and two suspected poachers have been arrested in connection with the matter.
Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority public relations manager Mr Tinashe Farawo last week said: “ZimParks wishes to inform the public that two suspected poachers have been arrested in connection with the recent suspected elephants poisoning that occurred in Hwange last week. The carcases were discovered with four of them dehorned.”
Mr Farawo said about 30 suspected poachers have been arrested this month.
“We are doing all we can to preserve and protect Zimbabwe’s wildlife heritage. Communities should also participate in these preservation efforts,” he said.
Lack of adequate resources, Mr Farawo said, was hampering efforts to combat poaching.
ZimParks has reduced the number of elephants killed by poachers from 293 in 2013 to 157 last year.
“Such efforts could not have been successful without the active co-operation of surrounding communities and responsible citizens. ZimParks’ history of sound community relations and harmonious engagement is bearing fruit as we keep fighting for the protection of our national wildlife heritage,” he said.
In a recent report, ZimParks said seven suspected poachers, one of them a foreigner, had been killed in firefights.
ZimParks has recovered 19 rifles, 71 rounds of ammunition, 45 ivory tusks, 145 game nets, 285 snares and 50 boats in anti-poaching operations.
