Cyanide Poisoning Suspected in Deaths of 15 Elephants Near Kenya Park

Fifteen elephants died near Kenya's Amboseli National Park between June 24 and July 24, 2026. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) suspects the animals were poisoned by eating tomatoes sprayed with cyanide pesticides on nearby farms. Preliminary laboratory tests found cyanide in samples from the carcasses, and some animals had tomatoes in their stomachs.

Ten of the elephants showed signs of partial paralysis before dying within two days; five others were already dead when discovered. The deceased included an adult male as well as nine females and their calves. Some died on a farm, while others staggered toward water sources before succumbing despite veterinary treatment.

While KWS has ruled out foul play for now, investigators are still determining if the poisoning was accidental or deliberate. Officials are also checking whether other farmers in the area use similar chemicals. Authorities stated that the toxins pose no immediate risk to humans, although there is a potential risk to livestock such as goats and cattle.

The Amboseli ecosystem is home to between 1,600 and 2,000 elephants. This incident has raised concerns about expanding farming activities near the park in a region where poaching has been largely eliminated. Additionally, local leaders have sought to transfer the management of the park to the Kajiado county government, though a court recently suspended this takeover.