41 Elephants were poisoned by poachers at Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, an official told BBC. Carol Washaya Moyo, the Zimbabwe Parks spokesperson broke the news saying cyanide was used to poison salt pans although tests are going on. This has been termed as the worst elephant poaching case in Zimbabwe.
While talking to BBC's Focus on Africa programme, Ms. Washaya Moyo confirmed that five suspected poachers had been arrested.
Elephant and rhino poaching has been on the rise in parks in Africa and is attributed to the rise in the demand for tusks and horns in Asia. These horns and tusks are used in traditional medicine in Asia although scientists say such medicine has no beneficial properties.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has warned that the poisoned carcasses posed great danger to any animal or human and urged people living near Hwange National Park not to touch or eat meat from any dead animal they find.
