The mineral-rich salt licks scattered around watering holes commonly draw elephants and other animals. But these familiar fixtures became death traps sometime in the past month for at least 91 elephants when poachers filled them with cyanide taken from illegal gold-mining operations. - Halil

The horrific tactic killed not only the majestic beasts but also lions, hyenas and vultures that fed on the remains or drank the water, authorities in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, where the slaughter took place, told the Associated Press. The lethal chemical “attacks the bloodstream, kills almost instantly and causes rapid decomposition,” the AP noted. Once the elephants were dead, their tusks were hacked off and smuggled out of the country. - Halil

At least 35,000 elephants were killed in Africa during 2012 alone, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society. That’s 96 per day. - Halil

This is intolerable. - Mo Kargas

This is despicable, but also note the comment in my other post about cyanide lingering in the environment, so this has the potential to affect wildlife for decades to come! This comment: Evidence shows that cyanide compounds linger in affected plant and fish tissues and can persist in the environment for long periods of time - MPC Fact Sheet: Cyanide - Earthworks http://www.earthworksaction.org/files... - Halil

Yeah cyanide is a potent and persistent toxin :/ - Mo Kargas

But what can we do? Other than pick up an assault rifle? - Mo Kargas

ebesini imanını. - hia