Authorities in Kenya are investigating the mysterious deaths of 15 elephants found near Amboseli National Park, with early evidence suggesting pesticide poisoning may be responsible. However, conservationists and local residents say many questions remain unanswered.
The elephants died between June 24 and July 24 in the Amboseli ecosystem, a wildlife corridor connecting Amboseli National Park to Tsavo National Park. The area is home to more than 2,000 elephants that migrate in search of food and water.
According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), several of the elephants showed signs of partial paralysis before dying. Laboratory tests reportedly detected traces of cyanide in samples taken from their stomachs, leading officials to suspect the animals may have ingested pesticides used on nearby tomato farms.
Dr. Isaac Lekolool, KWS’s chief veterinary officer, said investigators have not ruled out deliberate poisoning but believe the exposure may have been accidental. He explained that the chemicals could have come from pesticides sprayed on crops, although the exact cause has not yet been confirmed.
A 2024 report by Kenyan food safety organization Route to Food found that some farmers in the Kimana area were using insecticides containing cyanide compounds. The report also warned that banned agrochemicals continue to enter Kenya illegally through the border with Tanzania due to weak enforcement.
Despite the official findings, several wildlife experts remain unconvinced. Conservationist Paula Kahumbu said there is not enough scientific evidence available to confidently link the deaths to pesticides. She questioned whether elephants could consume enough contaminated vegetation to cause such widespread fatalities.
Other experts also pointed to the unusual pattern of deaths. Male elephants are generally more likely to raid farms, yet only one of the 15 dead elephants was an adult male. Local community leader Daniel Nina also questioned why other animals that graze in the same areas, including zebras, antelopes, and wildebeests, were not affected.
Farmers in Kimana say elephants regularly damage their crops, causing significant financial losses. Tomato farmer Stephen Michael said recent elephant raids destroyed his cabbages and tomatoes, resulting in losses worth more than $1,500.
According to Frank Pope, CEO of conservation group Save the Elephants, the greatest threat facing Amboseli’s elephants is no longer ivory poaching but increasing pressure from expanding agriculture and development. As more farmland and tourist facilities spread into traditional wildlife habitats, encounters between humans and elephants are becoming more frequent.
For now, investigators have not reached a final conclusion on what caused the deaths. Authorities continue to examine the evidence while conservationists warn that both wildlife and nearby communities could remain at risk if the source of the poisoning is not identified.
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