Elephant deaths under investigation in Kenya’s Amboseli ecosystem

Lesidai Kipelian (C), a community ranger at the Olgulului-Ololarashi Group Ranch, photographs the remains of Genghis Khan, an 11-year-old bull elephant, at Kitenden B Community Conservancy on the outskirts of Amboseli National Park in Kajiado County, Kenya, 19 August 2026. Genghis Khan was among at least 20 elephants that have died in the Amboseli ecosystem since June after showing similar symptoms, including partial paralysis. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said toxicology tests detected high concentrations of cyanide in elephant carcasses, although the cause of the deaths remains under investigation.