The announcement came after a group of government experts visited Hwange National Park on Saturday to investigate reports of cyanide poisoning. [break]
"When we left Hwange National Park on Sunday, the total number of elephants that had died from cyanide poisoning was 81," said Jerry Gotora, a director of the Zimbabwe parks department.
"Several other animals have also died, but we don´t have the total number yet."
More than 25,000 elephants were poached last year, according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The animals´ tusks are highly sought after for Asia´s ivory trade.
Nine people have been arrested on suspicion of poisoning watering holes in the game park to kill the elephants for their tusks.
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