The deaths of 15 elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park spark investigation

Wildlife authorities in Kenya are conducting an investigation after 15 elephants died in Amboseli National Park over the last month. The Kenya Wildlife Service reported that most of the deceased were females and their calves. Only one male elephant was found among the group.

Ten of the elephants displayed signs of partial paralysis before they died within a 48-hour window. The remaining five were discovered with their carcasses partially eaten by scavengers. These deaths occurred in the Kimana Sanctuary and the Kuku Ranch, areas located near the park boundaries.

Preliminary lab tests at the University of Nairobi identified a potential toxic substance in samples from the animals. However, subsequent analyses by the Government Chemist returned negative results for those specific toxins. Further testing is ongoing to determine the cause of death.

Environmental teams are currently examining water sources and searching for other potential contaminants in the region. Their goal is to verify if the elephants were exposed to a common environmental source. Officials confirmed there is currently no evidence that this condition poses a transmission risk to humans.