Kenya Investigates Deaths of 15 Elephants Near Amboseli

Kenyan wildlife authorities are investigating the deaths of 15 elephants around Amboseli National Park over the past month, with laboratory tests producing conflicting preliminary findings about possible toxins.

The Kenya Wildlife Service said 10 of the elephants showed partial paralysis before dying within two days. Five other carcasses were too decomposed or had been scavenged, preventing investigators from establishing their cause of death. Most of the dead animals were females and calves; one was male.

The deaths occurred in the Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Ranch areas surrounding Amboseli. Initial testing at a University of Nairobi laboratory detected a potential toxic substance in samples, while a government laboratory did not find the toxins it tested for. Further testing is under way.

Officials are also examining water sources and other possible environmental contaminants to determine whether the elephants encountered a common source. The wildlife service said there was no evidence that the condition could spread to humans.

Amboseli, near Kenya’s border with Tanzania, is known for its elephant herds and is estimated to support about 2,000 elephants. Investigators have not concluded whether poisoning, environmental exposure or another cause is responsible for the deaths.