Kenya's wildlife authorities are investigating the deaths of 15 elephants in Amboseli National Park over the past month. This represents the highest number of elephant deaths recorded in this area of southern Kenya in decades. The fatalities occurred primarily in the Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Ranch areas surrounding the park.
The majority of the deceased were female elephants and their calves, with only one male among the fatalities. According to the Kenya Wildlife Service, 10 of the elephants exhibited signs of partial paralysis before dying within two days. The remaining five were discovered dead, with their carcasses partially consumed by scavengers.
Preliminary tests conducted by a laboratory at the University of Nairobi detected a potential toxic substance, though separate analyses by the Government Chemist were negative for the toxins tested. Further tests are underway, along with environmental investigations into water sources and other potential contaminants to determine if the elephants were exposed to a common source.
Kenya has previously recorded incidents of elephants being poisoned as a result of poaching and human-wildlife conflict. Despite the ongoing investigation, authorities have reassured the public that there is no evidence the condition can be transmitted to humans.