Mysterious elephant deaths in Kenya raise questions around pesticides
Kenyan wildlife authorities are investigating the mysterious deaths of 15 elephants near Amboseli National Park, with initial tests showing traces of cyanide. While officials suspect pesticide poisoning from nearby tomato farms, local farmers and conservationists remain skeptical of the cause.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the growing conflict between agricultural expansion and wildlife conservation in the Amboseli ecosystem, threatening endangered species.
Image source, Getty Images By Thomas Mukhwana Africa correspondent , Reporting from Amboseli Published 5 August 2026, 00:12 BST Updated 47 minutes ago News that the recent deaths of 15 elephants may have been caused by pesticides sprayed on tomato crops surrounding Amboseli National Park has raised concerns and questions in Kenya.
Last week, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said that some of the elephants that had died between 24 June and 24 July had shown signs of "partial paralysis" that pointed to poisoning from cyanide used in pesticides.
But conservationists have told the BBC that, perhaps, is not the full story. Farmers we have spoken to in the area were also sceptical.
"We have stayed with this wildlife for decades and have never experienced this," Daniel Nina, who represents some of the landowners in the area, told the BBC.
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