Key facts
- 15 elephants died in Kenya between June 24 and July 24.
- Kenya Wildlife Service suspects cyanide poisoning from pesticides used on nearby tomato crops.
- Traces of cyanide were found in elephant stomach samples.
- Conservationists and local farmers question the pesticide theory due to inconsistencies.
- Illegal agrochemicals are reportedly smuggled into Kenya from Tanzania.
- Land use changes and human-wildlife conflict are persistent issues in the Amboseli ecosystem.
Mysterious deaths of 15 elephants in Kenya between June 24 and July 24 have prompted an investigation, with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) initially suggesting pesticide poisoning from nearby tomato farms. Dr. Isaac Lekolool, chief vet at KWS, stated that traces of cyanide were found in elephant stomach samples, and that exposure to pesticides sprayed on crops is a working theory, possibly unintentional.
However, conservationists and local farmers have expressed skepticism. Daniel Nina, representing landowners, noted that such incidents were unprecedented and questioned why cyanide would kill elephants while leaving other herbivores unaffected. Conservationist Paula Kahumbu stated there isn't enough detailed information to confidently attribute the deaths to pesticides, adding that elephants would need to consume a large quantity to be fatally poisoned.
Concerns have also been raised about the enforcement of regulations regarding agrochemicals. A 2024 report highlighted the use of illegal insecticides with cyanide as an active ingredient in the Kimana area, with Wangunyu Njuguna, the report's author, pointing to weak enforcement and cross-border smuggling of toxic substances.
Experts also noted that male elephants, which are more prone to raiding farms, were not the predominant victims among the deceased. Previous poisoning incidents in the region have affected zebras and antelopes. Frank Pope, CEO of Save the Elephants, emphasized that land use, with farms and lodges encroaching on elephant corridors, is a significant pressure on the Amboseli ecosystem, exacerbating human-wildlife conflict.