CRUEL PEOPLE - Dozens of elephants killed in Zimbabwe

Dozens of elephants killed in Zimbabwe after ivory poachers poison watering holes with CYANIDE

• - Poachers struck while security forces were occupied with policing election
• - Sweep through nearby villages uncovers 19 tusks, cyanide and wire snares
• - Zimbabwe is home to an estimated 80,000 elephants
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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 15:53 GMT, 25 September 2013 | UPDATED: 15:53 GMT, 25 September 2013

More than 80 elephants have been killed after ivory poachers in Zimbabwe poisoned their watering holes with cynanide, endangering one of the world's biggest herds.

Environment minister Saviour Kasukuwere said the elephants had died in the last few weeks in the Hwange national park, the southern African nation's largest.

He said the poachers had struck while security forces were preoccupied with unrest related to the July 31 general election.

Slaughter: More than 80 elephants have been killed after ivory poachers in Zimbabwe poisoned their watering holes with cynanide, endangering one of the world's biggest herds. (Stock image)

Police and rangers had recovered 19 tusks, cyanide and wire snares after a sweep through villages close to the park, which lies just south of Victoria Falls.

Mr Kasukuwere, who was appointed to the environment ministry a week ago, said his officials are 'declaring war on poachers'.

'We are responding with all our might because our wildlife, including the elephants they are killing, are part of the natural resources and wealth that we want to benefit the people of Zimbabwe,' he told Reuters.

Zimbabwe is home to some of Africa's largest herds, with half of its estimated 80,000 elephants thought to be in Hwange.

Majestic: Elephants taking a mud bath at Hwange National Park, home to 40,000 of the massive animals, where poachers struck as security forces were preoccupied with policing the recent contested election

Mr Kasukuwere said he would push for stiff penalties for convicted poachers, who routinely get less than the nine-year jail term imposed for cattle rustling.

Zimbabwe is working to revive its tourism industry, including its wildlife sector, which has suffered years of decline blamed by some on long-serving President Robert Mugabe's economic policies.

Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party, in power since the former Rhodesia gained independence from Britain in 1980, was re-elected in an election in July that was rejected by his main rivals as rigged.