Amboseli elephant deaths trigger Kenya investigation after 15 die
Kenya Wildlife Service says 15 elephants have died near Amboseli, with tests probing toxins, water sources and environmental contaminants.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Kenyan wildlife officials are investigating the Amboseli elephant deaths after 15 animals died over the past month in and around one of the country’s best-known conservation areas.
The Kenya Wildlife Service said Tuesday that 10 of the elephants showed signs of partial paralysis before dying within two days. Five others were found already dead, with scavengers having partly consumed their carcasses, according to the agency.
Most of the dead animals were female elephants and calves, KWS said. Only one male was among the 15.
The deaths were recorded in the Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Ranch areas around Amboseli National Park, according to KWS. The park sits near Kenya’s border with Tanzania, at the northwestern foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.
What is killing elephants in Amboseli?
Officials have not identified a cause. KWS said there is currently no evidence pointing to one explanation for the deaths, BBC News reported.
Early laboratory work has given investigators a mixed picture. Samples examined by a University of Nairobi laboratory detected a “potential toxic substance,” while separate tests by Kenya’s Government Chemist were negative for the toxins that were screened, according to KWS and BBC News.
KWS said more testing is in progress. The agency also said investigators are checking the environment in the affected areas, including water sources and other possible contaminants, to determine whether the elephants may have been exposed to the same source.
Kenya has dealt before with elephant poisonings tied to poaching and human-wildlife conflict, officials said. This case stands out because the region has not recorded elephant deaths on this scale in decades, according to BBC News.
For now, authorities are also trying to calm public concern. KWS said there is no evidence that the condition seen in the elephants can be transmitted to humans.
Where did the elephant deaths happen?
The deaths were reported in areas surrounding Amboseli National Park rather than only inside the park itself, according to KWS. Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Ranch are part of the wider Amboseli ecosystem, a key range for elephants moving through the region.
BBC News reported that the Amboseli ecosystem had more than 2,000 elephants as of 2025. The area is internationally known for its elephant population and its views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
KWS has not announced a final finding on whether the deaths were caused by poisoning, disease, contamination or another factor. The agency’s statement said environmental checks and additional lab analyses are being used to establish whether the animals shared a common exposure.
The investigation continues as officials try to explain why so many elephants died in a short span, and why several showed paralysis before death while others were found only after scavengers had reached them.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.