Kenya’s elephant death toll rises to at least 20 as cause remains unclear

At least 20 elephants have died in Kenya since June, with the cause of their deaths still unknown, Agence France-Presse reports.

The report said the animals have been dying in the area around Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya.

All the affected elephants have displayed similar symptoms, including breathing difficulties and partial paralysis. Most of the victims have been females and young males.

According to the Associated Press, preliminary laboratory tests conducted in late July detected cyanide, a highly toxic poison, in the carcasses. No signs of infectious diseases were found in the animals.

Tomatoes from neighbouring farms were also found in the elephants’ stomachs, prompting speculation that the mysterious deaths may have been caused by pesticides used on the crops.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov