Officials confirmed that 41 elephants at Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe were poisoned.

Officials confirmed that 41 elephants at Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe were poisoned.

Poachers doused the ponds from which the elephants regularly drank with cyanide.

The killings were discovered by police after park rangers alerted them to gunshots in the area.

Upon responding, they found two elephant carcasses near the game preserve’s perimeter. Their tusks had been removed.

Further investigation led to the discovery of more deceased and mutilated elephants inside the park.

In the following days six suspects were arrested and 17 tusks valued at 120 thousand dollars were located.

Several of the men taken into custody are related, and their ages span from 22 to 53.

The search for more of the carcasses continues. Park officials estimate that since May, poachers have claimed the lives of about 70 elephants.

Hwange National Park’s 5500 square miles of land is also home to zebras, giraffes, birds, and several endangered species.

Officials are concerned about how the water contamination will impact other animals, as well as the ecosystem at large.

They are currently working on ways to minimize the extended damage to both the animals and the environment.