KIMANA, Kenya (AP) 鈥� The carcass of one elephant lies on a dusty road, while another has been almost completely eaten by scavengers, leaving just the skull. They are among in Kenya鈥檚 Amboseli National Park from suspected cyanide poisoning after eating tomatoes in nearby farms.
into how cyanide found its way into an ecosystem where wild and domestic animals coexist. Growers have disputed claims that cyanide from their tomatoes killed the elephants.
The elephant deaths and disputes about the cause have intensified concerns over growing human-wildlife conflict in the region due to expanding agricultural activities near Amboseli park. Kenya has until recently been widely recognized for rebuilding its elephant population from historic lows to more than 36,000 individuals by reducing poaching.
Sixteen elephants died in one month
Kenya’s Wildlife Service said last month that 15 elephants had died in the Amboseli ecosystem in a span of a month. The service updated the numbers to 16 on Friday. Preliminary laboratory tests detected cyanide, while postmortem examinations found tomatoes in the animals鈥� stomachs.
The wildlife service on Friday said it requested the Pest Control Products Board to establish a team to investigate whether the chemical 鈥渕ay have been improperly used, stored, or disposed, and whether water, soil, or grass may have been contaminated.鈥�
The head of veterinary services at Kenya’s wildlife agency, Dr. Isaac Lekolool, said the elephants had shown signs of 鈥減aralysis and difficulty breathing鈥� before they died. Initial tests pointed to cyanide poisoning, although further laboratory tests are being done to determine the concentration of cyanide.
鈥淲e are yet to find out where this cyanide came from,鈥� Lekolool said, adding that the elephants had also consumed watermelons. He urged caution over the handling and use of pesticides on farms.
Farmers skeptical that cyanide from their farms was to blame
Elvis Muchai has farmed on the edge of Amboseli for two decades. In all that time, he said, he has never heard of farmers poisoning wildlife, and he was skeptical that farmed tomatoes believed to have been contaminated with the chemical were to blame for the elephants’ death.
Muchai, who farms tomatoes in Kimana area, said local communities have long coexisted with elephants despite suffering repeated crop losses when the animals cross the park鈥檚 electric fence and raid farms, particularly during the dry season.
鈥淲e are used to the animals eating from our farms,鈥� he said.
One of Kenya’s most productive farming regions
Kimana, which borders Amboseli, is one of Kenya鈥檚 most productive agricultural areas, growing tomatoes, onions and French beans that are transported to markets to the capital, Nairobi.
The samples tested for toxic chemicals were obtained from the elephants’ stomach contents and the analysis of blood samples is ongoing, Lekolool said. He disputed earlier claims that cyanide, which is regulated by the government for use in mining, may have been present in the park due to illegal mining.
Farms have expanded near the park and conflict between people and elephants remains the second leading cause of deaths after poaching, according to Kenya鈥檚 National Elephant Plan. Between 2000 and 2020, at least 1,160 elephants died in incidents linked to self-defense or retaliatory killings as communities sought to protect their crops, property and lives, the Plan notes.
But Duncan Juma, communications director of Kenya鈥檚 wildlife service, ruled out human-wildlife conflict in the death of the elephants, saying 鈥渢he community loves these animals.鈥�
Urgent need to tackle human-wildlife contact
The International Fund for Animal Welfare, or IFAW, said the recent suspected cyanide poisoning highlights the urgent need to tackle the underlying causes of human-wildlife conflict.
鈥淎s people and elephants increasingly share space, protecting wildlife and safeguarding communities鈥� livelihoods must go hand in hand,鈥� IFAW wrote in a statement.
IFAW鈥橲 East Africa director Ben Wandago said the reported cyanide poisoning must be 鈥渦rgently and thoroughly investigated鈥� and recommended that coexistence solutions to protect communities living near the park be implemented.
鈥淭his tragedy also underscores the urgent need for the strict control and responsible handling of highly toxic substances to prevent them from entering the natural environment,鈥� he said.
Farmers are doubtful that the cyanide could have originated from commonly used agricultural inputs.
Muchai said he has never encountered cyanide among the pesticides or chemicals sold to farmers in the area and insisted that products available on the market are regulated by the Kenyan government.
鈥淭he chemical they are talking about, we鈥檝e never seen it or heard of it here,鈥� he said.
Last season alone, Muchai said elephants destroyed about half an acre of his tomato crop, costing him an estimated 500,000 Kenya shillings ($3,800).
鈥淲e have lived with these animals for years. They eat our crops, and many of us have never received compensation,鈥� he said.
Another farmer, Rymondy Mrosso, also questioned whether pesticides used by local farmers could explain the deaths and wondered why only elephants appeared to have been affected.
鈥淲e have that also feed in these areas,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f the crops were poisoned, why were only the elephants affected?鈥�
___
For more on Africa and development:
The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP鈥檚 for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
