19 Kenya elephants die from mystery ailment near Amboseli

At least 19 elephants have died since June in southern Kenya after showing similar symptoms, including partial paralysis, while officials and conservationists remain divided over the cause.

The deaths have affected the Amboseli region, a major wildlife tourism area near Mount Kilimanjaro. In the Kitenden B reserve, an 11-year-old male elephant known as Genghis Khan was found struggling to stand and breathe before vets gave him a glucose injection because the cause of the illness remained unknown.

Kenya Wildlife Service said in late July that toxicology reports found high concentrations of cyanide in elephant carcasses, suggesting possible pesticide poisoning from crops on nearby farms.

Several local wildlife specialists and conservationists questioned that explanation. Patrick Papatiti, head of operations for Olgulului communal lands, said other animals had not died after feeding on carcasses. Joel Nyika, the Amboseli ecosystem manager for Kajiado County authorities, said wildlife managers believed the problem could be a disease affecting only elephants.

On August 7, Kenya Wildlife Service said its findings so far did not indicate an infectious or transmissible disease and said tourists could continue visiting.

AFP journalists saw six carcasses in the Kimana reserve on Wednesday, with rangers also observing partial paralysis that stopped the animals from standing. The dead included a four-month-old calf and a pregnant female elephant.

Paula Kahumbu, a conservationist and head of Wildlife Direct, said there was a lack of evidence for the pesticide theory. Papatiti said the priority should be finding the cause of the deaths and feared the toll may be underestimated.