Pesticide‑sprayed tomatoes suspected to kill 15 elephants in Kenya

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) says preliminary laboratory tests found cyanide in the carcasses of 15 elephants that were discovered near Amboseli National Park. The elephants, whose bodies were found between 24 June and 24 July 2026, show signs of paralysis or were already deceased when discovered. By ruling out foul play, wildlife officials stress that the toxic substances pose no immediate risk to humans.

Elephants are known to wander onto farmland in search of food and water, and this incident has raised concerns about expanding farming activities close to the park. The Amboseli ecosystem, a vast area straddling the Kenya-Tanzania border, is home to more than 2,000 elephants as of 2025. With poaching largely under control in recent decades, this represents the first time in decades that elephant mortalities on this scale have been recorded in the region.

The deaths included elephants of varying ages and sexes, indicating that the poisoning was not limited to a single group. KWS investigators are continuing to analyse samples and monitor nearby farms for pesticide use. Conservationists and farmers alike call for stricter controls and better collaboration to protect wildlife while supporting local agriculture.

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