Kenya arrests four after 18 elephants die in mysterious poisoning case

Kenyan police have arrested four people on suspicion that they might be linked to the mysterious death of 18 elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem. Initial investigation revealed that the animals were poisoned as preliminary tests pointed to a possible toxic substance intake and chemicals were also discovered.

A Kenya Wildlife Service revealed Monday that the four detained individuals have been released on bail.

This comes after elephants started mysteriously dying in the Amboseli ecosystem with around 15 deaths reported between June 24 and July 24. Three more elephants died days later, bringing a total of dead elephants to 18.

The affected areas include Amboseli National Park, Kimana Sanctuary and the Kuku Ranch area. Wildlife officials previously said some of the elephants showed symptoms including partial paralysis before dying within one or two days.

Preliminary laboratory results suggest that a toxic substance may have been involved in the deaths. Earlier indications pointed toward possible cyanide poisoning after elephants allegedly consumed pesticide-contaminated tomatoes from farms bordering the national park.

However, the suspected cause has not been established.

Some wildlife experts have questioned whether farm pesticides were responsible, pointing to the fact that there have been no reported mass deaths among other animals in the area.

Investigators also searched an area in Tikondo, in Loitoktok sub-county, roughly 220 kilometers southeast of Nairobi, where they discovered various substances, including chemicals believed to have originated from a neighboring country.

Authorities are now also searching for a fifth person believed to have information relevant to the investigation.

The Kenyan Tourism and Wildlife Ministry stressed that the arrests and recovered substances do not by themselves establish criminal responsibility, as the investigation remains underway.