Nairobi (Kenya), 29 July (LaPresse/AP) – The deaths of 15 elephants over the past month in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, have prompted an investigation. The Kenya Wildlife Service has stated that 10 of the elephants showed signs of partial paralysis before dying within two days, whilst the remaining five were found dead, their carcasses partially devoured by scavengers. Most of the affected animals were female elephants and their calves; only one male was among the dead. The deaths occurred in the Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Ranch areas, on the outskirts of the park. Preliminary tests carried out on samples taken from the elephants by a laboratory at the University of Nairobi detected a “potential toxic substance”, whilst separate analyses conducted by the government tested negative for the toxins examined. The authority stated that further analyses are underway. “Environmental investigations are also underway, including the analysis of water sources and other potential environmental contaminants within the affected areas, to determine whether the elephants were exposed to a common source,” the authority added in a statement. Kenya has previously recorded cases of elephant poisoning due to poaching and human-wildlife conflicts.
Kenya: investigation launched into the deaths of 15 elephants in Amboseli National Park
Nairobi (Kenya), 29 July (LaPresse/AP) – The deaths of 15 elephants over the past month in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, have prompted an investigation. The Kenya Wildlife Service has stated that 10 of the elephants showed signs of partial paralysis before dying within two days, whilst the remaining five were found dead, their carcasses partially devoured by scavengers. Most of the affected animals were female elephants and their calves; only one male was among the dead. The deaths occurred in the Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Ranch areas, on the outskirts of the park. Preliminary tests carried out on samples taken from the elephants by a laboratory at the University of Nairobi detected a “potential toxic substance”, whilst separate analyses conducted by the government tested negative for the toxins examined. The authority stated that further analyses are underway. “Environmental investigations are also underway, including the analysis of water sources and other potential environmental contaminants within the affected areas, to determine whether the elephants were exposed to a common source,” the authority added in a statement. Kenya has previously recorded cases of elephant poisoning due to poaching and human-wildlife conflicts.
