Zimbabwe: "Cyanide Slaughter" Of Elephants Escalates For İvory Tusks

In Africa, slaughter of elephants by poachers for their ivory tusks have been escalating, despite warnings and arrests, particularly in Zimbabwe.

More than 60 elephants were killed in October after "cyanide poisonings", said officials. Most recently, more than 20 elephants have died from cyanide poisoning in Zimbabwe's Hwange Park.

Cyanide poured to water poles

Ivory smugglers have "laid down arms" over the intense measures, then switched to "poisoning elephants with cyanide, by pouring cyanide into water poles, said Zimbabwe National Park officials.

This followed three previous poisonings this month alone, bringing the total to over 60 elephants killed in October. Vultures have also died, after feeding off the elephant carcasses, officials said.40 tusks were recovered with the carcasses, they added.

Drones, trained dogs against poisonings

Over the weekend, 173 kilograms of ivory, due to be smuggled to Singapore, were seized at Harare Airport, leading to four arrests. The National Parks Agency plans to use drones and trained dogs to assist in better monitoring of the parks.

While the National Parks Agency officials warned the rising number of "cyadine poisinings" harmed all living creatures in the park, they announced their plans to use drones and trained dogs to assist in better monitoring of the parks. - Johannesburg