By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, August 07, 2026 - The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is investigating the deaths of 16 elephants in the Amboseli-Kimana ecosystem after preliminary laboratory findings pointed to suspected cyanide poisoning.
In a statement on Friday, KWS said the elephant deaths were reported between June 24 and July 31, 2026, with most of the animals being adult females and calves. The elephants reportedly exhibited weakness and partial paralysis of their hind limbs before dying.
The agency said it deployed veterinary and scientific teams from Nairobi, Tsavo and Amboseli immediately after the first case was detected on June 24 to examine affected animals, conduct post-mortem examinations, collect samples and intensify surveillance.
KWS is working with the Government Chemist and the University of Nairobi to carry out toxicological, microbiological and other laboratory analyses to establish the exact cause of the deaths.
"Preliminary laboratory analysis by the University of Nairobi indicates cyanide poisoning as the probable cause in the cases examined," the agency said, adding that it is awaiting confirmatory test results to match laboratory findings with individual case records and trace the source of exposure.
To determine how the elephants may have come into contact with the toxic substance, KWS has requested the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) to lead a multi-agency technical investigation into whether pesticides or other crop protection chemicals were improperly used, stored or disposed of in Kimana, Kuku, Kitenden and the wider Amboseli ecosystem.
Investigators are also examining whether contaminated water, soil or forage could have exposed the elephants to cyanide. The agency is further assessing whether giant star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus)a cyanogenic plant species, may have contributed to the poisoning.
KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga said the agency was committed to uncovering the facts behind the incident.
“The Kenya Wildlife Service is committed to establishing the facts and keeping the public informed every step of the way,"he said.
The wildlife agency said it has intensified elephant surveillance, ranger patrols and veterinary monitoring across the ecosystem to detect any new cases and protect wildlife and visitors.
KWS noted that investigations conducted so far have found no evidence of an infectious or transmissible disease and assured the public that Amboseli National Park remains open and is operating normally.
The agency urged members of the public with any information that could assist investigations to report it through its toll-free line or official communication channels as investigations continue.
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