Zimbabwe recovers 50 elephant tusks
Associated Press
May 29, 7:23 AM EDT
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Wildlife authorities say rangers shot dead a
poacher in northwestern Zimbabwe and seized 28 elephant tusks from a bush
hideout.
The National Parks and Wildlife Authority said in a statement Tuesday the
poacher, aged about 50, died in an exchange of fire over the weekend in
Binga near the border with Zambia.
Authorities said that another 22 tusks were found last week near the Zambezi
river upstream from Victoria Falls. They said one member of a six-man group
of poachers was seriously wounded and hospitalized after clashing with
rangers. The others fled.
The Wildlife Authorities said weapons, ammunition and a Zambia-registered
cell phone were recovered.
Illegal ivory sells for about $250 a kilogram (2.2 pounds.) All 50 tusks
could fetch nearly $60,000.