Fifteen elephants have died in southern Kenya over the past month, with wildlife authorities attributing the deaths to suspected poisoning from cyanide-contaminated tomatoes grown in farms bordering Amboseli National Park. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced on Wednesday that laboratory tests on samples from the elephant carcasses detected cyanide, a highly toxic chemical known for use in farming as a predator control poison and pest fumigant.

The affected areas include the Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Group Ranch, covering approximately 150 square miles adjacent to Amboseli, which, along with nearby conservancies, is home to over 1,600 elephants. Kimana is a major tomato-producing region, where researchers have previously identified the use of cyanide substances on crops, raising concerns about agrochemical poisoning. Kenya Wildlife Service Director-General Erustus Kanga noted that cyanide’s toxicity poses a significant threat not only to elephants but also to other wildlife and local livestock, such as goats and cattle, that graze in the same fields.

Isaac Lekolool, head of veterinary and capture services at KWS, highlighted findings from the necropsy of one elephant, which revealed a large quantity of tomatoes in its stomach, supporting suspicions that the poisoning came through ingestion of contaminated crops. The KWS has been investigating the deaths, which occurred between June 24 and July 24, with officials warning of potentially broader ecological impacts should cyanide be confirmed as the poisoning agent.

While authorities have not publicly named any suspects or motives, previous incidents in the region have involved farmers allegedly using poisons to deter elephants from raiding agricultural fields. The border between the park and farmland sees frequent interaction between wildlife and human activity, creating ongoing conflict over resources.

Benson Leyian, chief executive of the Big Life Foundation, a conservation group active near Amboseli, described the deaths as alarming. He emphasized that, due to extensive community-based conservation efforts, the Amboseli elephant population has been among the most protected in Africa and poaching reduced significantly. He noted that such a concentrated wave of fatalities is unusual in the area outside periods of drought.

Authorities said the toxic substances found pose no immediate risk to human health but continue to monitor the situation to prevent further harm to wildlife and livestock. The incident underscores the complex challenges in balancing conservation priorities with local agricultural practices in regions where wildlife and humans coexist closely.