Fifteen elephants discovered dead in southern Kenya near Amboseli National Park are suspected to have died from pesticide-laced tomatoes consumed from nearby farms, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Preliminary laboratory tests on samples from the elephants' carcasses revealed the presence of cyanide. Ten of the animals exhibited signs of paralysis before dying within two days, while the other five were found deceased. Wildlife officials have tentatively ruled out foul play and are continuing their investigation.
Wildlife authorities have stated that the substances ingested by the elephants do not pose an immediate risk to humans. The incident has heightened concerns regarding agricultural expansion near the park, as elephants frequently venture onto farmland in search of sustenance.
The Amboseli ecosystem, which spans the border with Tanzania, is renowned for its wildlife. The KWS reported that these deaths, occurring between June 24 and July 24, 2026, represent the largest number of elephant mortalities recorded in the region in decades. The affected elephants included individuals of various ages and sexes, indicating the deaths were not isolated to a specific group.
As of 2025, the Amboseli ecosystem was home to over 2,000 elephants, according to the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, which tracks the animals' movements. The KWS has previously achieved success in combating poaching in the area.