The unexplained deaths of 15 elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli ecosystem over the past month have been linked to possible cyanide poisoning with preliminary laboratory tests detecting the toxin in samples taken from the animals.
According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), laboratory analysis indicates cyanide is the most likely cause of the deaths. However, further testing is underway to determine whether the concentrations detected are high enough to be lethal. KWS is also investigating how the toxin entered the elephants’ environment and has not determined whether it was introduced deliberately.
In a statement, conservation organisation Big Life Foundation said the first elephant death was recorded on June 25. Since then, eight deaths have been recorded in areas patrolled by its rangers. KWS has reported 15 deaths. According to Daily Maverick, the elephants died in Amboseli National Park, Kimana Sanctuary and the Kuku Ranch area.
Big Life Foundation says KWS has taken samples from multiple carcasses to determine the cause of death and has deliberately withheld public comment until laboratory results are available.
Currently there is “much speculation” about the source of the toxin but there is no clear evidence of where it originated or whether it was intentionally introduced, Big Life Foundation points out.
The Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE) says many of the dead animals were well-known individuals from its long-running research population monitored since birth.
ATE researchers worked alongside KWS veterinarians in post-mortem examinations and waited for laboratory findings before commenting publicly.
“This news is devastating for all of us in Amboseli, especially for our team who have followed many of these elephants for years,” ATE says.
The incident highlights the need to continue supporting communities living alongside elephants while authorities complete their investigation, ATE points out.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) describes the preliminary findings as “deeply concerning” and has called for a thorough investigation.
“The reported cyanide poisoning by the KWS must be urgently and thoroughly investigated and those responsible must be held fully accountable under the law,” says Ben Wandago, IFAW East Africa Director.
According to the BBC, Kenyan wildlife officials suspect the elephants may have ingested tomatoes sprayed with cyanide-containing pesticides after entering nearby farmland.
