Poachers at Hwange and Zambezi Game Reserves

Environment, Water and Climate minister, Saviour Kasukuwere said, on Monday, he had received reports that about 30 poachers had recently entered the Hwange and Zambezi Game Reserves.

"Recently, there was a report that close to 30 poachers, in two groups, had gained illegal entry into Hwange and Zambezi national Parks, this is an indication that although we are moving in the right direction towards sealing off the poachers' illegal points of entry, protected areas such as Matetsi Safari Area have remained relatively vulnerable to (the) poaching menace.

"Let me take this opportunity to implore our parks rangers and officers to shun corruption and to decisively deal with it as it has potential to divide the authority apart and to scare conservation partners away," he added.

Media reports indicated that at least 500 elephants were killed by poachers in the last half of 2013, with insiders saying senior government officials were behind the spike in poaching.

Sources said the senior government officials, including cabinet ministers had, during investigations, threatened villagers who had been used as runners and conduits in the animal killing spree.

Insiders said some of them had actually supplied cyanide to runners who, in turn, gave it to villagers to poison water sources.

The international trade in ivory was outlawed globally in 1989 after the population of African elephants dropped from millions in the mid-20th century to just about 600 000 by the end of the 1980s.

Wildlife experts estimate that  illegal international ivory trade is worth up to $10 billion a year, with Asia being the major destination and hub of the illicit trade in ivory.