Pesticide-sprayed tomatoes suspected to have killed 15 elephants in Kenya

Fifteen elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park are suspected to have died after eating tomatoes that had been sprayed with pesticides from adjacent farms, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) reported. Preliminary laboratory tests conducted by the KWS detected cyanide in samples taken from the animals’ carcasses. Ten of the elephants exhibited signs of paralysis and died within two days of showing symptoms; the remaining five were already deceased when discovered. Investigations are continuing, but wildlife officials have, for the time being, ruled out foul play as a cause. In an effort to reassure the public, wildlife authorities informed the media that the toxic substances ingested by the elephants do not pose an immediate hazard to humans. The incident has highlighted concerns over the expansion of farming activities near the park, as elephants frequently wander onto farmland in search of food and water. The Amboseli ecosystem, which spans the Kenya‑Tanzania border and is renowned for its wildlife, has seen successful anti‑poaching efforts in recent years. Officials noted that this is the first occurrence in decades of elephant mortalities on this scale being recorded in the region, where poaching has been substantially curtailed. The carcasses included elephants of various ages and both sexes, indicating that the deaths are not confined to a single family or demographic group. The KWS said the deaths occurred between 24 June and 24 July 2026. According to the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, more than 2,000 elephants inhabited the Amboseli ecosystem as of 2025.