The Kruger National Park (KNP) in Limpopo said on Wednesday it had launched an investigation into the demise of jackals, lions and vultures after they fed off an elephant that was shot dead and laced with poison.
Spokesman William Mabasa said the carcasses were discovered on Sunday.
“An elephant carcass was found with gun shots to its head, its tusks were removed and poison was laced on it. At least 110 dead white back vultures, two lions and two jackals subsequently died after eating the poisoned animal,” Mabasa said.
“We are investigating this phenomenon to establish what could lead to these actions.”
He said the poisoning of animals took place mostly in east Africa, and that there could be various reasons why poachers would poison an animal they had killed.
“There are a number of theories on this, one of which is that of people being vindictive and wanting to just kill animals, because they know that lions, vultures and other animals will feed off the carcass … and simply want to kill them as well,” said Mabasa.
Another reason was that, because it was not easy to kill a vulture, some would want the vultures dead and use them for “muthi purposes”, he said.
Mabasa said it was not the first time an elephant was killed and poisoned in the park. One elephant was poached and poisoned early last year, and 44 vultures were left dead after eating the poisoned carcass. – African News Agency (ANA)
