Bhejani Trust and the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority made the announcement today, a week after 14 other elephants succumbed to similar poaching tactics.
According to the agency and Bhejani Trust, which undertakes joint animal monitoring and welfare work with the parks agency, the 26 dead elephants were found on Tuesday. Fourteen tusks were recovered from these elephants and others were also removed but not recovered.
Parks spokeswoman Caroline Washaya Moyo said rangers found 16 of the elephants in an area known as Lupande before stumbling on 10 others in Chakabvi.