Sixteen Elephants dead in series of poisoning incidents in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.

Sixteen Elephants have been found dead with apparent cyanide poisoning in the Amboseli National Park in Kenya since 24 June 2026. This has raised concerns about a potential new wave of Human-wildlife conflict in the park, where Elephants were once almost wiped out by poaching, but which is now home to a population of 36 000. All of the Elephants died outside of the Amboseli National Park itself, but within the greater Amoseli ecosystem, in the area around Kimana Sanctuary and Kuku Ranch, community-run wildlife projects linking Amboseli National Park to the Tsavo National Park to the east.

The body of an Elephant found close to the Amboseli National Park in Kenya earlier this year. BBC.

Initially, park authorities were concerned that the Elephants may have been poisoned by a cyanide-based insecticide sprayed on crops on one of the farms surrounding the park, as several of the dead Elephants had stomachs filled with tomatoes. Elephant raids on croplands close to Amboseli are a known problem, and while cyanide-based insecticides are illegal in Kenya (which maintains strict rules on the use of agricultural chemicals in order to gain access to lucrative European markets), they are legal in neighbouring Tanzania, with occasional incidents of smuggling and illegal use in Kenya being reported. 

Elephants in the Amboseli National Park. Kenya Wildlife Service.

However, local farmer's representatives have strongly denied this, claiming that despite the problems of crop raiding, most farmers love the region's Elephants and would not voluntarily harm them. Furthermore, they note that that it would take a considerable amount of cyanide to kill an Elephant, and farms are also impacted by crop raiding by other large Mammals, none of which seem to have been affected.

Farmers spraying pesticides on a farm close to the Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Peter Njoroge/BBC.

Another possibility is that the cyanide could have been used in an illegal gold mining operation either within, or close to the Amboseli National Park (while gold is not generally soluble, it can be dissolved in solutions of sodium cyanide, a method which can be used to leach gold from ore rock), although the Kenya Wildlife Service are confident that no such activities are taking place. This makes deliberate poisoning of the Elephants the most probable cause, and while the reason for this is unknown, the most likely explanation would be that it relates to the extensive farmland now surrounding Amboseli and the other parks of the region, which supply vegetables to cities such as Nairobi as well as overseas markets. While many Animals occasionally raid such farms, Elephants are uniquely destructive, with individual Elephants able to consume over a tonne of vegetables within a short period of time.

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Woman killed by Elephant in Kerala State, India.

A woman has died after being trampled by an Elephant on Monday 8 June 2026 in the village of Sinkukandam near the town of Suryanelli in the Idukki District of Kerala State, India. The woman, identified as Mari, a 36-year-old widow, mother of two, and day-labourer, encountered a mother Elephant with a calf while escorting her 11-year-old son to catch a school bus, at about 8.30 am local time. Both were attacked by the Animal, and subsequently rushed to a local hospital by a passing auto-rickshaw driver. Here Mari was pronounced dead, while her son, Dakshan, was transferred to the Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital for further treatment.

The funeral of a woman killed by an Elephant in the Idukki District of Kerala State on 8 June 2026. The Hindu.

The village is close to the Chinnakanal Reserve, which is home to a population of 18 Elephants. About 50 people are thought to have been killed by Elephants in and around Chinnakanal since 1990, ten of them by a single male known as 'Arikomban' who was eventually relocated away from the area by the Kerala Forest Department in 2023. This has placed considerable strain on the local Human population, and their ability to live alongside the area's Elephants.  

The major problem appears to be that the Chinnakanal Reserve covers an area of about 4 km², although only about half of this is utilised by the Elephants, who instead spill out into nearby farms and villages, often stealing food from Humans and coming into conflict with them. In an attempt to manage this conflict the Forest Department has set up a system alerts on social media and messaging platforms, which message people warning them that Elephants are in their area. However, local people have complained that they are not simply able to simply stop going about their daily business whenever Elephants wander into the area. On the day of the latest incident an alert had been put out, but visibility was very low due to rains and fog, apparently causing the victims to come close to the Elephants without realising the danger they were in until too late.

In 2022 Raju Francis of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation produced a report recommending the construction of a series of solar-powered electric fences to protect farmland and residential areas from Elephants emerging from the forest. Despite agreeing to this proposal, four years on the Forest Department has yet to install a single stretch of fencing, and is unable to confirm when this will begin, something which local people have described as grossly negligent, leaving their property and families vulnerable to Elephant attacks.

A group of Asian Elephants in Kerala State. Wikimedia Commons.

Asian Elephants, Elephas maximus, are classified as Endangered under the terms of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, as the population has declined by more than 50% over the last three generations (about 75 years for Elephants). There are currently about 50 000 Asian Elephants (although Elephants are notoriously difficult to count, despite being such large Animals) scattered across Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. However, this population is now highly fragmented, with most Elephants living in small groups, reproductively isolated from other groups, and often coming into conflict with local Human populations as the land allocated to Elephants shrinks.

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Elephant seen in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal, for the first time since 2020

An Elephant has been observed in the Niokolo-Koba National Park in the east of Senegal for the first time since January 2020. The Elephant, identified as a 35-40-year-old bull called Ousmane, was observed at night by a camera trap earlier this month. Five years ago, Ousmane was one of five-to-ten Elephants living in the park, but no sightings have been made, and it was assumed that Elephants had become locally extinct in Senegal.

A bull Elephant called Ousmane in the Niokolo-Koba National Park in June 2025. Niokolo-Koba National Park/Panthera.

Senegal was once home to hundreds of Elephants, bur they were hunted heavily during the colonial period, and a combination of the value of their tusks and competition for land with Humans has led to their population continuing to fall. Even before their apparent disappearance in 2020, Elephants were thought to be in almost irreversible decline in Senegal, with the population being both very small and very inbred. Ousmane, the last known surviving Elephant in Senegal is known to be a hybrid between two Elephant species, African Forest Elephant, Loxodonta cyclotis, and African Savanna Elephant, Loxodonta africana (both of which are considered to be Critically Endangered), and it is unclear if he would be able to breed if the opportunity arose.

Founded in 1981 the Niokolo-Koba National Park covers 9130 km² of gallery forests, savannah grass floodplains, ponds, and dry forests, cut through by the Gambia, Sereko, Niokolo, Koulountou rivers. As well as Elephants the park is home to one of two (known) remaining populations of Lions in West Africa, and populations of Giant Eland, Taurotragus derbianus, the largest extant Antelope species, Gianr Pangolin, Smutsia gigantea, African Wild Dogs, Lycaon pictus, and West African Chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes versus.

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'Killer' Elephant relocated in Kerala.

An Elephant alleged to have killed a number of people in Kerala State, India, has been relocated to a Tiger reserve away from Human populations. The Elephant, a 36-year-old male named Arikomban, is claimed to have killed seven people during raids on Rice stores in the area around Devikulam Forest in Idukki District, although this has been disputed People for Animals, an Indian Animal welfare organization, who claim their investigations have been unable to find any instances of people being directly harmed by the Elephant. What is not disputed, however, is that Arikomban is a notorious Rice-thief, and while he was able to take Rice from older Bamboo-and-Grass stores without causing much damage, as concrete and other modern building materials have become more common, the Elephant has been increasingly causing damage to property during his raids, fueling conflict with local Human populations, who have been petitioning the Kerala Forest Department to have him relocated.

The Elephant, Arikomban, being relocated on Saturday 29 April 2023. Arun Chandrabose/BBC.

Arikomban has been living around Humans since 1987, when he was a calf and his mother sustained a leg injury and was looked after by villagers near Chinnakkanal, before eventually perishing. Since that time he has tended to live around Humans, and had few interactions with other Elephants. This has included raiding Rice stores for food, something which was for a long time tolerated, but which has become more of an issue over time as the Human population has grown, a problem which has been repeated across India in recent years, where 30 000 wild Asian Elephants (60% of the global total) now co-exist with 1.4 billion Humans (18% of the global total).

Arikomban foraging on a Tea estate in Idukki District, prior to his capture. New Indian Express.

The Kerala Forest department initially applied to the Kerala High Court for permission to take Arikomban into captivity, but this was rejected following opposition from Animal welfare groups. A plan was then devised to move the Elephant to the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, about 175 km from the area where he has been living, but this was opposed by people living close to the reserve, who were alarmed by Arikomban's reputation. Following this, it was decided to relocate the Elephant to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, about 80 km from Arikomban's current home. Concerns were raised that the local Human population around Periyar might also reject Arikomban, but this appears not to have been the case, with large crowds turning out to great the Elephant as he was brought to the reserve. 

Crowds of well-wishers greeting Arikomban as he arrived at the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Manorama.

Arikomban is reported to have received a deep cut on the trunk during his capture, for which he was treated before being released. He was also fitted with a radio collar to monitor his progress. He was provided with several barrels of water laced with antibiotics for his wound, which were later found overturned, as well as several stores of food which it is hoped will help sustain him while he adapts to foraging in the wild. Tracking collar data has revealed that he was approached by a small herd of six local Elephants shortly after his release, but that these retreated without any apparent interaction.

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Elephant crashes into kitchen in Thailand.

A Thai woman woken by a loud crashing noise was surprised to find the head of a large male Elephant protruding into her kitchen. Rachadawan Phungprasopporn, 29, of the village of Chalermkiat Pattana in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, was disturbed at about 2.00 am local time on Saturday 20 June 2021, and found that part of the exterior wall of her kitchen had been demolished by the Elephant, identified as Boonchuay, a large male who (mostly) resides in the nearby Kaeng Krachan National Park. Boonchuay spent some time rummaging through the contents of the kitchen, apparently looking for something to eat, before leaving. Intrusions by Elephants from the park have become a problem in Chalermkiat Pattana, particularly on market days, when they are attracted by the smell of food. This is the second time Ms Phungprasopporn's home has been damaged by an Elephant, with the incident on this occasion causing an estimated 50 000 baht (US$1565) in damage, although the national park have agreed to pay for the repairs.

 

An Asian Elephant named Boonchuay exploring a kitchen for food. Rachadawan Phungprasopporn/The Guardian.

The wild Elephant population of Thailand has fallen from about 100 000 in 1850 to about 2700, largely due to deforestation and Human expansion into their range. Many animals will simply flee such incursions, or, if unable to, are likely to end up in the cooking pots of hungry villagers. Elephants, however, are a somewhat different proposition. They are large animals, not used to being challenged by other animals in their home ranges, and typically live in matriarchal herds of up to a hundred, with herds holding large territories, criss-crossed by Elephant trails. Elephants encountering Human objects they dislike are unlikely to attempt to go round it, and are quite likely to maximise the damage they cause to show their displeasure.

Residents of Chalermkiat Pattana and neighbouring villages are reported to be reasonably well disposed towards the Elephants, and willing to work with park authorities to find a solution to incursions, which cause regular damage to homes, businesses and crops in the area. However, Elephant incursions can be extremely damaging, and if remedies are not found, and the number of Elephant-related incidents continues to rise, there is clearly the potential for a break down in such good relations.

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African Elephants now classified as Endangered and Critically Endangered.

Following population declines over several decades due to poaching for ivory and loss of habitat, the African Forest Elephant, Loxodonta cyclotis, is now listed as Critically Endangered and the African Savanna Elephant, Loxodonta africana, as Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, according to a press release issued by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature on 25 March 2021. Before this update, African Elephants were treated as a single species, listed as Vulnerable; this is the first time the two species have been assessed separately for the Red List of Threatened Species, following the emergence of new genetic evidence.

 

The African Forest Elephant, Loxodonta cyclotis, is now listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. The species occurs in the Tropical Forests of Central Africa and a range of habitats in West Africa. Frank af Petersens/Save the Elephants.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species now includes 134 425 species of which 37 480 are threatened with extinction.

'Africa’s Elephants play key roles in ecosystems, economies and in our collective imagination all over the world. Today’s new Red List assessments of both African Elephant species underline the persistent pressures faced by these iconic Animals,' said Bruno Oberle, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Director General. 'We must urgently put an end to poaching and ensure that sufficient suitable habitat for both Forest and Savanna Elephants is conserved. Several African countries have led the way in recent years, proving that we can reverse Elephant declines, and we must work together to ensure their example can be followed.'

The latest assessments highlight a broadscale decline in African Elephant numbers across the continent. The number of African Forest Elephants fell by more than 86% over a period of 31 years, while the population of African Savanna Elephants decreased by at least 60% over the last 50 years, according to the assessments.

Both species suffered sharp declines since 2008 due to a significant increase in poaching, which peaked in 2011 but continues to threaten populations. The ongoing conversion of their habitats, primarily to agricultural and other land uses, is another significant threat. The 2016 IUCN African Elephant Status Report provides the most recent reliable estimate of the continental population of the two species combined, at around 415 000 Elephants. 

 

The African Savanna Elephant, Loxodonta africana, is now listed as Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. Jane Wynyard/Save the Elephants.

Despite the overall declining trend of both African Elephant species, the assessments also highlight the impact of successful conservation efforts. Anti-poaching measures on the ground, together with more supportive legislation and land use planning which seeks to foster Human-wildlife coexistence, have been key to successful Elephant conservation. As a result, some Forest Elephants have stabilised in well-managed conservation areas in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. Savanna Elephant numbers have also been stable or growing for decades especially in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which harbours the largest subpopulation of this species on the continent.

'While the results of the assessment place the continental population of Savanna Elephants in the Endangered category, it is important to keep in mind that at a site level, some subpopulations are thriving. For this reason, considerable caution and local knowledge are required when translating these results into policy,' said Dave Balfour, assessor of the African Elephants and member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Species Survival Commission African Elephant Specialist Group. 

The decision to treat African Forest and Savanna Elephants as separate species is the result of the consensus that has emerged among experts following new research into the genetics of Elephant populations. Forest Elephants occur in the tropical forests of Central Africa and in a range of habitats in West Africa. They rarely overlap with the range of the Savanna Elephant, which prefers open country and is found in a variety of habitats in Sub-Saharan Africa including grasslands and deserts. The Forest Elephant, which has a more restricted natural distribution, is thought to occupy only a quarter of its historic range today, with the largest remaining populations found in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo.

'For these assessments, a team of six assessors used data from as far back as the 1960s and a fully data-driven modelling approach to consolidate the decades-long efforts of many survey teams for the first time. The results quantify the dramatic extent of the decline of these ecologically important Animals. With persistent demand for ivory and escalating Human pressures on Africa’s wild lands, concern for Africa’s Elephants is high, and the need to creatively conserve and wisely manage these Animals and their habitats is more acute than ever,' said Kathleen Gobush, lead assessor of the African Elephants and member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Species Survival Commission African Elephant Specialist Group.

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