Seven elephants die mysteriously in one week in Mara conservancies

Seven elephants have died in two conservancies around the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in the last one week in unclear circumstances.

The elephants were in Naiboisho and Mara North conservancies in Narok West.

Tests carried out on the carcasses by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) have not yet shown anything, raising suspicions the animals might have been poisoned.

The KWS, however, said a strange disease cannot be ruled out but Narok County Commissioner Magu Mutindika urged the investigators to look into the possibility of poisoning.

He called for speedy tests on the carcasses.

The administrator urged people living around the park to be involved in conservation efforts, saying they played a vital role in protecting wildlife in the world-famous park.

On December 8, 2015, three lions died from poisoning in the same area.

Two herders were arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

LIONS POISONED

They were said to have poisoned the lions in revenge for the killing of their cows.

KWS veterinary officers have been in the region since the deaths were reported.

Narok Chief Warden Collins Omondi said numerous laboratory tests were being conducted on the elephant carcasses.

Speaking to Nation on Tuesday, Mr Omondi said his team watched helplessly as some of the elephants died a few kilometres apart.

He said veterinary officers had to put down one of the elephants.

“Initially, we thought it was anthrax but tests have ruled this out,” said Mr Omondi.

Symptoms noticed included swelling in the throat and a foul smell emanating from the mouth.

Samples from the elephants have also been taken to the Government Laboratory in Nairobi for further tests.

The KWS officers are also testing grass, shrubs and water in the area to establish if they might have been laced with poison.