The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has said that the recent deaths of 15 elephants near Amboseli national park in southern Kenya were likely caused by the animals ingesting pesticides used on nearby tomato farms.
Cyanide Detected in Samples
Erustus Kanga, KWS director general, told Citizen TV that analysis of samples collected from the carcasses found traces of cyanide, a chemical compound used in farming as a predator control poison and a pest fumigant. “Cyanide is a highly toxic chemical,” he said. “If elephants consume cyanide, they cannot survive a day or two.”
Stomach Contents Reveal Tomatoes
The deaths occurred in the Kimana sanctuary and Kuku Group ranch areas around Amboseli national park. Kimana town is a leading tomato producer where the use of a cyanide substance on crops had previously been reported. Isaac Lekolool, head of veterinary and capture services at KWS, said the stomach contents of one elephant included “lots of tomatoes,” suggesting agrochemical poisoning.
Wider Environmental Impact
Kanga warned that livestock such as goats and cattle grazing in the area could also be affected, leading to a bigger impact. On Tuesday, KWS announced it was investigating the deaths of elephants that occurred between 24 June and 24 July. Preliminary tests detected a potential toxic substance, and 10 elephants showed signs of partial paralysis before dying.
Benson Leyian, CEO of Big Life Foundation, noted that the Amboseli elephant population is one of the best protected in Africa, and such a cluster of deaths had not been seen for some time. The International Fund for Animal Welfare described the deaths as “deeply alarming,” emphasizing the need for continued investment in science, monitoring, and collaborative conservation.
Farmers and herders in Kenya have previously poisoned wildlife in retaliation for crop or livestock losses, and poachers in Zimbabwe have used cyanide to kill elephants. The Amboseli ecosystem is a major tourism revenue source, but tensions have risen as local leaders demand the park’s management be handed to Kajiado county government—a move recently suspended by a court.
