Fifteen elephants found dead in southern Kenya, outside the Amboseli National Park, are suspected of being poisoned by eating tomatoes that had been sprayed with pesticides on nearby farms.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) says preliminary laboratory tests found cyanide in samples taken from the animals’ carcasses.

Ten of the elephants were found with signs of paralysis and then died within two days. The other five elephants were already dead when they were discovered.

Investigations continue, but for now wildlife officials have ruled out foul play.

To reassure the public, wildlife authorities have told local media that toxic substances consumed by elephants do not pose an immediate risk to humans.

This incident has raised concerns about the expansion of agricultural activities near the park, as elephants often stray into farmlands in search of food and water.

The park and its surroundings are known as the Amboseli ecosystem, a vast area straddling the border with Tanzania, famous for its wildlife.

Officials say this is the first time in decades that elephant mortalities on this scale have been recorded in the region where they have successfully combated poaching.

The carcasses include elephants of different ages and sexes, suggesting that the deaths are not limited to a single family or demographic group.

The KWS said the deaths occurred over a month between June 24 and July 24, 2026.

According to figures from the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, which monitors animal movements, in 2025 there were more than 2,000 elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem.