Potential toxic substance linked to deaths of 15 elephants in Kenya's Amboseli ecosystem

The Kenya Wildlife Service has confirmed that several of the 15 elephants that died in the Amboseli ecosystem between June 24 and July 24 may have been exposed to a potentially toxic substance.

The findings are based on preliminary laboratory results from the University of Nairobi, drawn from samples collected from the affected elephants. The deaths were reported in Amboseli National Park, Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Ranch.

In a statement on Tuesday, the agency said further quantitative analysis is underway to determine the concentration and significance of the substance, while additional investigations are being conducted to establish its source.

Environmental investigations are also ongoing, including the analysis of water sources and other potential contaminants in the affected areas, to determine whether the elephants were exposed to a common source.

The wildlife agency said there is no evidence that the incident poses a risk to human health. "The condition observed is confined to the affected elephants, and there is no indication that it is transmissible to humans," it said.

The agency said 10 of the 15 elephants exhibited similar clinical signs, including partial paralysis that left them unable to stand before dying within one to two days.

The remaining five carcasses were too decomposed or had been scavenged, making it impossible to establish the cause of death. The condition primarily affected adult females and their calves, with only one adult male reported.

KWS has intensified surveillance across the Amboseli ecosystem and continues to closely monitor elephant populations while working with scientific partners to establish the definitive cause of the deaths.

"The Service remains committed to protecting Kenya's wildlife through science-based investigations and timely response, and will provide further updates as investigations are concluded," it said.

Benson Leyian, chief executive officer of the Big Life Foundation, a conservation organization, said the elephant deaths were a cause for concern.

"Aside from losses during periods of severe drought, we haven't seen a cluster of elephant deaths like this for some time," he said.

Leyian said Big Life's teams will continue working closely with the Kenya Wildlife Service to monitor elephants across the wider Amboseli ecosystem.

" We are encouraged that no further deaths appear to have been connected to these initial cases over the past seven days," he said.

He added the Amboseli elephant population is one of the best protected in Africa, with elephant poaching virtually eliminated in the area, thanks to decades of community-centered conservation.