An inquiry has been initiated following the discovery of 14 elephants found dead under mysterious circumstances near a national park in Africa.
The elephant carcasses were located in various spots approximately 15km to 30km away from the boundaries of Amboseli National Park, situated in the southern region of Kenya in eastern Africa.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has confirmed that specialists are currently conducting examinations on the deceased elephants. Samples of tissue have been dispatched to laboratories for analysis to determine the cause of death, considering possibilities such as disease or poisoning, as reported by the BBC.
This incident marks the first instance in decades where such a significant number of elephant deaths have been documented in the African area. Notably, poaching activities have been effectively curbed in the vicinity.
KWS has stated that there is no concrete evidence suggesting a single underlying cause for the deaths of all 14 elephants. The deceased elephants encompass various ages and genders, indicating that the fatalities are not restricted to a specific family or age group.
Researchers from the University of Nairobi, who are investigating the deaths, have allegedly identified a suspected toxin in some of the elephant remains. Ongoing analysis of samples aims to ascertain if the toxin contributed to the deaths, according to local news reports.
Additionally, KWS is delving into a range of environmental factors, including water sources and potential contaminants, to ascertain if the elephants were exposed to a common hazardous source.
The Amboseli ecosystem, situated on the Tanzanian border renowned for its wildlife, hosts more than 2,000 elephants based on data from the Amboseli Trust for Elephants as of the previous year.