4 People Arrested Over Poisoning of 18 Elephants in Kenya's Amboseli National Park
- Kenya Wildlife Service detained three Kenyans and one Tanzanian over the deaths of at least 18 elephants in Amboseli National Park
- Preliminary lab tests found traces of cyanide in crop samples taken from the stomachs of dead elephants, most of them female adults and calves
- Authorities are probing whether tomatoes sprayed with banned pesticides smuggled from Tanzania caused the deaths
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Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the deaths of at least 18 elephants at Kenya's Amboseli National Park, the Kenya Wildlife Service confirmed, as investigators work to establish whether the animals were killed through cyanide-laced crops.
Three Kenyan nationals and one Tanzanian citizen were detained on suspicion of poisoning the elephants over a period of roughly two months. All four have since been released on bail as the investigation continues.
Source: Getty Images
Cyanide found in elephant stomachs
According to BBC, preliminary laboratory tests returned positive results for cyanide in samples taken from the stomachs of the dead animals.
Investigators believe the elephants consumed large quantities of tomatoes sprayed with illegal pesticides, and the affected animals also showed signs of paralysis before they died, which authorities say is consistent with cyanide poisoning. The victims were mostly female adult elephants and their young calves.
The tomato farms under scrutiny are located in the Kimana area, a corridor linking Amboseli National Park to Tsavo National Park in southern Kenya.
The wider Amboseli ecosystem spans the Kenyan-Tanzanian border and supports a population of more than 2,000 elephants that roam across the region in search of food and water.
Porous border enables smuggled chemicals
Pesticides banned under Kenyan law are believed to enter the country through the poorly monitored border with Tanzania. Farms within the Amboseli ecosystem sit close to areas where elephants regularly move through human settlements, and the animals are known to raid crops for food, making contact between the wildlife and treated produce a recurring risk.
Officials noted that while rules against illegal agrochemicals are in place, enforcement remains weak and there has been limited focus on the threat such chemicals pose to wildlife.
Source: Getty Images
Wild elephants attack, 'kill' people in Cross River
Legit.ng earlier reported that Victor Abang, a member of the House of Representatives, has raised concerns over the invasion of farmlands and communities in the Boki local government area of Cross River state by wild elephants.
As reported by The Nation on Wednesday, March 5, the elephants have reportedly killed residents and destroyed farmlands. Speaking on a motion of urgent public importance, the House of Representatives member lamented that the elephants have been attacking citizens and forcing farmers to abandon their lands out of fear.
Source: Legit.ng
