Analysis of samples collected from carcasses found traces of toxic chemical compound, says Kenya Wildlife Service The recent deaths of 15 elephants near a park in southern Kenya in…

Analysis of samples collected from carcasses found traces of toxic chemical compound, says Kenya Wildlife Service The recent deaths of 15 elephants near a park in southern Kenya in the past month were most likely caused by the animals ingesting pesticides used on nearby tomato farms, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has said. Erustus Kanga, the agency’s director general, told Citizen TV that analysis of samples collected from the carcasses had found traces of cyanide, a chemical compound used in farming as a predator control poison and a pest fumigant, which has also been used by poachers. “Cyanide is a highly toxic chemical,” he said. “If elephants consume cyanide, they cannot survive a day or two.” The deaths occurred in the Kimana sanctuary and Kuku Group ranch areas around Amboseli national park, an area covering 392 sq km (96,865 acres) and that, together with other neighbouring conservancies are home to more than 1,600 elephants. Kimana town is a leading tomato producer and a place where researchers at the Route to Food Initiative, a food rights programme, have previously reported the use of a cyanide substance on the crop. Isaac Lekolool, the head of veterinary and capture services at KWS, told Citizen TV that the stomach contents of one member of a herd that roamed Kimana sanctuary included “lots of tomatoes,” suggesting agrochemical poisoning. Kanga warned that the effects could reach a wider population, as livestock may also eat from farms in the area.