WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT HORRIFYING photographs have emerged showing the latest wild animal butchery after more than 60 elephants were killed in the same park which was home to Cecil the Lion.
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| At least 62 elephants have been killed by suspected cyanide poisonings in the last month |
Slumped and lifeless, the appalling photographs show some of at least 62 elephants slaughtered in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe in a matter of days.
Their bloodied ivory tusks lay among butchered trunks as distraught park rangers look on.
They are the latest victims in a spate of terrifying killings, which are also believed to have been caused by cyanide.
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| A group of elephants, believed to have been killed by poachers, lie dead |
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| A group of elephants, believed to have been killed by poachers, lie dead at a watering hole |
It is not known
who is behind the brutal beheadings, but it is now feared the poisonings
could have been carried out by park rangers protesting over poor pay.
The
most recent attack against the gentle giants saw 22 elephants,
including their babies, killed after being poisoned by the toxic
chemical.
The grizzly discovery of the elephant
carcasses were also accompanied by the finding of 35 tusks, according to
a spokeswoman for the parks and wildlife management authority.
It
was first thought poachers may have made the kills but it is feared the
elephants may have been killed by those close around them in a twisted
act of spite.
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| A group of elephants, believed to have been killed by poachers |
Rangers at the park are furious over their poor and erratic wages, according to reports.
It
was claimed they have only just received their pay due last month,
while management have failed to cough up costs for watering hole pumps.
An
unnamed source from the National Parks and Wildlife Authority in
Zimbabwe said there were "serious management problems" within the park.
He
added: "Some of the rangers are very dissatisfied with their
remuneration and say they are not getting some allowances they believe
they should get.
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| The most recent attack saw 22 elephants killed |
"So many of us
believe some of the poaching at the moment is organised and executed by
some rangers in parks, and we don't know how this will be sorted out."
A well-known hunter in the area agreed some rangers had part to play in the poisonings.
Headman
Sibanda said: "Some of them believe they should be getting allowances
and they are not, but some senior management are getting allowances
unfairly."
The latest elephant slaughter was discovered on Monday, bringing the total number of deaths this month alone to 62.
Less than two weeks ago, 26 elephants died in separate poisoning incidents just outside the park.
Then last month, at least 14 elephants were killed in various attacks where cyanide was thought to have been involved.
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| More than 300 elephants died last year in suspected cyanide poisonings |
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| The attacks happened near the park where Cecil the lion once roamed |
Caroline
Washaya-Moyo, spokeswoman for the parks and wildlife management
authority, said at the time: "We recovered 22 elephant carcasses in the
Sinamatela area and so far we have also recovered 35 tusks.
"Initial investigations indicate that there was cyanide poisoning.
"We
continue to lobby for deterrent penalties for people found with
poisonous substances such as cyanide. We can't continue to lose wildlife
at such a rate.
"The rate at which we are
losing animals to cyanide is alarming. Many other species are also dying
from the cyanide used by poachers to target elephants.
"We are appealing to people in communities close to national parks to cooperate with authorities."
The
horrific elephant deaths took place at the same park were Cecil the
Lion, who was shot dead by US dentist Walter Palmer in July, once
resided.
More than 300 elephants died last year in suspected cyanide poisonings.
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