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MORE THAN 300 elephants and other animals have died of cyanide poisoning by poachers in Zimbabwe’s largest game park, a wildlife conservation group said today.
“In July, around 300 elephants had died from cyanide poisoning in Hwange and were discovered by a group of hunters who flew over the area,” Johnny Rodrigues, chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force said.
He said other animals that have also been killed include lions, vultures, painted dogs and hyenas.
The authorities only stepped in in September and by then the numbers had escalated. As at last week, about 325 had died altogether.
Government officials were not immediately available to confirm the figure.
The parks and wildlife authority said last week that the death toll from poisoning was 100. Four poachers have been jailed for at least 15 years each for the crime.
Rodrigues accused the authorities of downplaying the toll, adding that poaching masterminds often got off scot-free.
“The problem is that a big cover-up is going on,” he said.
“Those who have been arrested and convicted are the small fry who are being used as scapegoats while the big and dangerous fish are untouched. These include politicians and big business people,” said Rodrigues.
‘Poverty not greed’
Police have given villagers living around the park until the end of October to hand over any cyanide they might have or risk arrest.
However, some traditional leaders from areas bordering the park have pleaded with the authorities to pardon those arrested for poaching,saying they were driven by poverty not greed.
Just 50 rangers patrol the 14,650-square kilometre park, and wildlife authorities say ten times that number are needed.
There are more than 120,000 elephants roaming Zimbabwe’s national parks.
Elephant tusks and other body parts are prized in Asia and the Middle East for ornaments, as talismans, and for use in traditional medicine.
The international trade in ivory, with rare exceptions, has been outlawed since 1989 after the population of African elephants dropped from millions in the mid-20th century to just 600,000 by the end of the 1980s.
Wildlife experts estimate that the illegal international ivory trade is worth up to $10 billion a year.
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Another tool for the narcissist generation
Just because you can’t afford one?
I’d say you’re they type to wear sunglasses inside Aidan
Sunglasses indoors, par for the course.
Aidan = D4 Muppet
The app is free, I reckon Stephen could splash out on a free app and as he just posted comments to another smart phone app I am also thinking there is a chance he owns a smart phone.
Indeed Love Guinness……but then, Stephens smart phone is most likely smarter than Stephen.
Cost more Al Cal
scope me later ya.
You loo like a desperate tool Kelly
Apple are to release there version soon called endoscope…. Although it will likely be a pain in the ads to use
They should release endascope too so everyone can see through the eyes of a winner!
Eyes of a donkey :-D
“They should release endascope too so everyone can see through the eyes of a winner!”
So…..that’s not a tan you’re sporting.
You are by far the most irritating shinnerbot on TheJournal Aidan, congrats.
They do have one its call an Endoscopy, that when they’ll look in your ass Aidan and to see where your intellect has gone
You can see the difference at contrastthemeerkat.com
Skype?
Tell them to watch The Hunt for Red October.. that should give ‘em a good intro for periscope.
Crazy Ivan? Or maybe that’s Crimson Tide.
Source: David Guetta
Ah it’s just the obvious progression for the huge proportion of the online populace that think because they can, they should.
Most have nothing interesting to say anyway, this is like porn for them.
Funny enough, I didn’t hear anybody talking about it.
Up Periscope !
It’s a perfectly designed instantly accessible broadcasting device with massive potential. We’ll be using it with our students. If you’re already with twitter it’s seamless. Is miles ahead if competitors like meerkat etc. Try it! http://www.connemaramathsacademy.com
Should have said ‘app’ instead of device.
To what end will this prove useful though?
Have a read of this article, will answer that question http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/26/8296537/explosion-east-village-periscope-live
have your say