At least 20 Kenya elephants die from mystery ailment

At least 20 elephants have died since June in southern Kenya after showing similar symptoms, including partial paralysis, while the cause remains unresolved and officials and conservationists disagree over possible explanations.

The deaths have affected the Amboseli region, a major wildlife tourism area near Mount Kilimanjaro. An 11-year-old male elephant known as Genghis Khan died on Tuesday after struggling to stand and breathe. Vets gave him a glucose injection because the cause of the illness remained unknown.

The 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. On August 7, the agency said its findings so far did not indicate an infectious or transmissible disease and said tourists could continue visiting.

Several local wildlife officials and conservationists questioned the pesticide 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.

In the Kimana reserve, AFP journalists saw six carcasses in one day, some fresh and others older, while rangers also observed 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 supporting the pesticide theory. Papatiti said the priority should be finding the cause of the deaths and said he feared the toll may be underestimated and that elephants in neighbouring Tanzania may also be affected.