OVERPOPULATION of elephants in the country’s national parks could have also contributed to the death of 25 jumbos in the Pandamasue Forests in Hwange, an official has said.

Investigations into the death have so far ruled out poaching or cyanide poisoning. In an interview, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority director general, Mr Fulton Mangwanya said investigations to ascertain the cause of death were underway and samples have been sent to international laboratories.

“So far we have registered 25 fatalities and investigations are still underway with the local labs but we have also enlisted the services of some foreign labs. I think we will get positive responses which will also going to assist us to find out whether the case we have here is similar to the one that occurred in Botswana and if so then the way forward,” said Mr Mangwanya

He however, said his organisation suspected overpopulation could have played a part in the cause of the deaths.-The Sunday News