Mysterious elephant deaths in Kenya raise questions around pesticides
A wave of Kenyan elephant deaths has been blamed on pesticides, but experts tell the BBC they are doubtful.
Recent deaths of 15 elephants in Kenya have raised questions about the possible use of pesticides in tomato farms near Amboseli National Park. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) found traces of cyanide in the elephants' stomachs, suggesting poisoning. However, local farmers remain skeptical, stating they have never witnessed such incidents before.
The Amboseli ecosystem, a vast area straddling the Kenya-Tanzania border, is home to over 2,000 elephants. Local conservationists question the initial findings, stating there is not enough information to confirm pesticides as the cause. They argue that elephants would need to consume a large amount to be killed by such toxins. While the KWS reports a working theory of pesticide exposure through nearby tomato farms, no definitive conclusion has been reached.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
