The Kenya Wildlife Service issued a crucial update after 15 elephants were reported to have died inside Amboseli National Park within one month.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement released on Tuesday, July 28, KWS said the deaths are linked to a possible toxic substance after 10 elephants displayed similar clinical signs before their deaths, including partial paralysis that left them unable to stand.

The affected elephants reportedly died within one to two days after developing the condition.

"Between 24th June and 24th July 2026, 15 elephant deaths were recorded in Amboseli National Park, Kimana Sanctuary and the Kuku Ranch area. Of these, 10 elephants exhibited similar clinical signs, including partial paralysis that left them unable to stand before dying within one to two days," KWS stated.

📌 What You Need to Know

Following the first reports, KWS deployed veterinarians from Nairobi, Tsavo and Amboseli to investigate the deaths, treat affected elephants, conduct post-mortem examinations and collect samples for laboratory analysis.

The samples were submitted to the University of Nairobi , the Government Chemist and other specialised laboratories for toxicological and pathological investigations.

According to the agency, Preliminary laboratory findings from UoN detected a potential toxic substance in samples collected from several of the affected elephants.

"Preliminary laboratory findings from the University of Nairobi detected a potential toxic substance in the samples collected from several of the affected elephants," it added.

However, KWS said further quantitative analysis is required to establish the concentration of the substance and determine whether it is significant to the deaths, with investigations also seeking to establish the possible source of the substance.

The remaining five carcasses were either too decomposed or had been scavenged, making it impossible for veterinarians to establish their cause of death.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke