Cyanide in tomato pesticide killed 15 elephants, Kenyan officials suspect

Fifteen elephants were found dead in southern Kenya outside the Amboseli National Park between June 24th and July 24th. Preliminary laboratory tests found cyanide in samples taken from the animals' carcasses, leading Kenyan officials to suspect that the elephants were poisoned by eating tomatoes sprayed with pesticides on nearby farms. Ten of the elephants showed signs of paralysis before dying, while the other five were already dead when discovered. Wildlife authorities have ruled out foul play and reassured the public that the toxic substances pose no immediate risk to humans. This incident has raised concerns about expanding farming activities near the park, as elephants often stray onto farmland in search of food and water. The Amboseli ecosystem, which straddles the border with Tanzania, is home to over 2,000 elephants that move through the area searching for resources.