(CNN) The relocation of endangered black rhinos has been immediately suspended following the death of eight rhinos at a new sanctuary in southern Kenya, the nation's Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife said Friday.

The deaths were due to salt poisoning after the animals drank water with a high salinity upon arriving in their new environment, preliminary investigations by Kenya Wildlife Service veterinarians found, according to a statement from Najib Balala, secretary for tourism and wildlife.

"The high salt levels lead to dehydration that triggers thirst mechanism, resulting in excess water intake of the saline water that further exacerbates the problem," Balala said.

The government called for an independent investigation and said disciplinary action would be taken if findings point to "negligence or unprofessional misconduct" by Kenya Wildlife Service staff, he said.

The rhinos that died were among 11 moved from Nairobi and Lake Nakuru national parks to a new sanctuary in Tsavo East National Park to start a new population in the area. The move was handled by Kenya Wildlife Service and supported financially by the Kenyan branch of the World Wildlife Fund, or WWF.

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