Poachers in Zimbabwe have poisoned watering holes in five game reserves, killing elephants whose tusks were removed from their carcasses, the parks authority said on Tuesday.

Watering holes in five national parks have been poisoned, killing nine elephants, five lions, two buffaloes and some vultures, Caroline Washaya Moyo, spokeswoman for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, said in a statement.

"The elephant tusks were taken leaving the carcasses. Lion skins were not taken and we suspect that they indeed were victims of poisoning of the water holes," she said.

Washaya Moyo said the parks authority has deployed teams in the affected game reserves to investigate the poisoning.

Zimbabwe has been battling to curb poaching, which has mainly targeted rhinoceros and elephants for their and tasks.

In July, 10 suspects were arrested for poaching and unlawful possession of rhino horns and elephant tusks. The group allegedly wanted to sell them to a Chinese buyer.

Ten rhinos have been killed by poachers so far this year. The crime is driven by booming demand for rhino horn in Asia where it is believed to have medicinal properties despite ample scientific evidence to the contrary.

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