News / National
Policeman shot dead in friendly fire while chasing poachers
13 Sep 2016 at 10:50hrs | Views
Four suspected poachers poisoned four elephants to death by spiking a water pan with cyanide in the Sinamatella area of the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe early on Sunday.
More than 300 elephants were killed through poisoning by poachers in Hwange National Park in 2013.
In a statement, the Victoria Falls-based Zimbabwean conservation group Bhejane Trust said a policeman who was part of a team that ambushed the suspects was killed in friendly fire after an accidental firearm discharge during hot pursuit.
"Four elephants, plus some small birds, were found dead at a waterhole on the Sinamatella park boundary of suspected cyanide poisoning. Acting on a tip-off, Parks (and Wildlife Authority Management) rangers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) details to set up an ambush for the suspected ivory dealers involved in the poisoning.
"The four suspects fled in a vehicle after being challenged. The ambush team of two rangers and two ZRP details gave chase, but very, unfortunately, one detail had an accidental (firearm) discharge which hit the other ZRP detail, who has subsequently died. The suspects obviously got away, but follow-up investigations continue.
"Bhejane Trust extends it deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased policeman, who died while doing his duty," the group said.
The incident came four days after four armed poachers were arrested in a counter-operation by police and game rangers in the Tsholotsho communal lands, southwest of Hwange National Park while tracking two elephants they had wounded in failed poaching attempts earlier.
Cyanide poisoning prevents oxygen exchange in the tissues of both humans and animals.
The effects of cyanide ingestion are very similar to the effects of suffocation as cyanide stops the cells of the body from being able to use oxygen, which all cells need to survive.
The substance is a deadly poison, but depending on the quantity, type, and concentration, it can be removed from the environment.
Cyanide is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and if it is in small quantities, it can be excreted in urine. In large quantities, it inhibits oxygen uptake in the blood and causes suffocation.
More than 300 elephants were killed through poisoning by poachers in Hwange National Park in 2013.
In a statement, the Victoria Falls-based Zimbabwean conservation group Bhejane Trust said a policeman who was part of a team that ambushed the suspects was killed in friendly fire after an accidental firearm discharge during hot pursuit.
"Four elephants, plus some small birds, were found dead at a waterhole on the Sinamatella park boundary of suspected cyanide poisoning. Acting on a tip-off, Parks (and Wildlife Authority Management) rangers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) details to set up an ambush for the suspected ivory dealers involved in the poisoning.
"The four suspects fled in a vehicle after being challenged. The ambush team of two rangers and two ZRP details gave chase, but very, unfortunately, one detail had an accidental (firearm) discharge which hit the other ZRP detail, who has subsequently died. The suspects obviously got away, but follow-up investigations continue.
The incident came four days after four armed poachers were arrested in a counter-operation by police and game rangers in the Tsholotsho communal lands, southwest of Hwange National Park while tracking two elephants they had wounded in failed poaching attempts earlier.
Cyanide poisoning prevents oxygen exchange in the tissues of both humans and animals.
The effects of cyanide ingestion are very similar to the effects of suffocation as cyanide stops the cells of the body from being able to use oxygen, which all cells need to survive.
The substance is a deadly poison, but depending on the quantity, type, and concentration, it can be removed from the environment.
Cyanide is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and if it is in small quantities, it can be excreted in urine. In large quantities, it inhibits oxygen uptake in the blood and causes suffocation.
Source - Byo24News
