22 More Elephants Killed

In another bad turn for Zimbabwe’s wildlife, it has been discovered that 22 more elephants have been poisoned in Zimbabwean National Parks.

The new poisoning epidemic seems to be the work of poacher, who poison the elephants with cyanide in order to harvest their tusks for illegal ivory sale.

The number of elephants killed by cyanide poisoning has now risen to 62 in October alone.

Zimbabwean authorities have declared this a national security issue and has asked local people – especially those who live close to the national parks – to work in association with the park rangers to help combat the poachers.

It is believed that these poachers are part of a sophisticated, multi-national crime framework.

the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said that they are trying to bring these poachers down:

“…[sic] Poaching and trafficking activities are now conducted by sophisticated transnational criminal networks…This menace has threatened not only the security of the countries, where these activities are carried out, but has negatively impacted on wildlife tourism,”

Another truly sad day for Zimbabwean wildlife.