The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force has called for tougher sentences for poachers after more elephant carcasses were found in the country’s Hwange National Park.
The Zimbabwean radio station, SW Radio, reported that a further 28 elephants were found dead after poachers poisoned a drinking pool with cyanide, bringing the death toll to 69. Johnny Rodrigues, ZCTF Chairman, was quoted as saying the current poaching penalties were “very lenient.”
Rodrigues told Tourism Update that current poaching penalties were a two year prison sentence. “I believe the sentence should be between 10 and 20 years community service and the community service should involve the poacher doing anti-poaching patrols,” he said. Rodrigues added that repeat offenders should be locked up for 20 years.
