Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has warned wildlife poachers that game park rangers will not hesitate to use deadly force to stop them. Speaking at a graduation ceremony for Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers, the minister:
Due to the magnitude of wildlife diversity, poachers are attracted to rob our nation of its wildlife heritage. These poachers have become so daring to the extent using sophisticated methods such as poisoning our elephants in search of raw ivory in great demand on the black market.
Let me reiterate that wildlife crime is a serious issue and as such, our rangers will not hesitate to shoot and kill those found on the wrong side of the law.
Imposition of tougher legal penalties on the perpetrators, constant educational programmes to the public on the effects of poaching and the health of ecosystem are a necessity if the war on poachers is to be won.
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