At least 19 elephants have died since June in a wildlife region of southern Kenya near the Tanzanian border and Mount Kilimanjaro. The local operations head says the number has now reached 20, while authorities continue trying to establish the cause.
Early tests have suggested cyanide poisoning from pesticides used on nearby farmland. But local wildlife experts say they are not convinced, as other animals feeding on the elephant carcasses have not shown signs of poisoning.
According to Patrick Papatiti, head of operations for Olgulului communal lands, the elephants have reportedly suffered difficulty walking and breathing, as well as restlessness, before becoming unable to stand. “They lie down until they die. At times, you would find one struggling for a day, struggling for two or even three days until they completely die.”
The deaths come after Kenya experienced a severe drought in 2022, but Papatiti says current conditions do not point to a lack of food or water.
“Currently, we have abundant pasture around, we have water close to where these elephants go. We have protection within the ecosystem that we work.”
While some initial tests have suggested cyanide poisoning, Papatiti says the behaviour of scavengers around the carcasses raises questions about that explanation.
“We have no idea. We are still struggling with our thinking and thoughts around what is happening. We have seen hyenas eating the carcasses and they don’t die. We have seen vultures feeding on the carcasses and they don’t die. We have seen flies landing on the carcasses. They feast, get happy and leave. So we have no idea what this is. “
The uncertainty is also raising concerns about what could happen if the cause affects other animals. “How do we know if this is going to translate into going to livestock?. Then when it gets to livestock, it is going to get to the community, local community around. So, how much are we going to lose until we fight to stop this happening?”
Farmers in Kimana say they are also struggling to understand what is happening. Wildlife experts and authorities are continuing to investigate the mysterious deaths, with the cause still unresolved.