Four white rhinos were on New Year's Day poached at Thertford Estate in Mazowe. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority public relations manager Ms Caroline Washaya-Moyo yesterday said the animals comprised two adult males, one adult female and one sub-adult male and are valued at US$480 000,00.

Ms Washaya-Moyo said that eight rhino horns, which had been removed from the carcasses and 18 spent cartridges fired from a suspected 308 hunting rifle or an FN Automatic rifle were recovered.

She said the alleged poachers escaped and all efforts are being done to bring them to book.

Last year the country lost 19, both black and white rhinos, to poachers.