An investigation has been launched after 14 elephants were found dead near Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya. The carcasses were discovered at locations 15km to 30km from the park boundaries in the Amboseli ecosystem.
Possible causes under investigation
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said experts are examining the bodies. Tissue samples have been sent to laboratories to establish the cause of death, with hypotheses including disease and poisoning. This is the first time in decades that elephant deaths on this scale have been recorded in the region. Poaching has been successfully tackled in the area.
No single cause identified
KWS said there is currently no evidence of a single cause for all 14 deaths. The dead elephants are of various ages and sexes, suggesting the deaths are not limited to one family or age group. Investigators from the University of Nairobi have discovered a suspected toxin in some of the carcasses, and samples are being analysed to determine its role. KWS is also investigating environmental factors such as water sources and other contaminants to check for a common source.
Background on the area
The Amboseli ecosystem spans a wide area on the border with Tanzania. Figures from the Amboseli Trust for Elephants show more than 2,000 elephants were in the ecosystem as of last year.
