Kenya investigates mysterious deaths of 15 elephants

Wildlife officials in Kenya are investigating the mysterious deaths of 15 elephants over the past month in sanctuaries bordering Amboseli National Park.

According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), 10 of the animals exhibited signs of partial paralysis before dying within 48 hours. The remaining five carcasses were too heavily decomposed or scavenged to determine an initial cause of death.

The deaths were concentrated in the Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Ranch areas, which form critical dispersal corridors surrounding the park. Most of those affected were females and young calves, with only one adult male among the dead.

Historically, poaching or human-wildlife conflict are the main factors in elephant deaths in Kenya. However, investigators are also considering environmental causes in this current case.

Preliminary testing by a laboratory at the University of Nairobi detected a "potential toxic substance" in samples taken from the carcasses. Separate analyses conducted by a government laboratory returned negative results for the specific toxins tested. KWS confirmed that further laboratory testing is underway to resolve the discrepancy.

"Environmental investigations are also being undertaken, including the analysis of water sources and other potential environmental contaminants within the affected areas, to establish whether the elephants were exposed to a common source," KWS said in a statement.

Authorities sought to reassure local communities, confirming there is no evidence that the underlying condition can be transmitted to humans.

Amboseli National Park and its surrounding conservancies harbor an estimated 2,000 elephants. 

World-renowned for its free-ranging herds set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, the ecosystem relies heavily on safe passage between protected areas and community lands.

(Story compiled with input from wires)