Amboseli elephant deaths expose Kenya’s pesticide crisis, conservationists warn

George Odiwuor, Daily Nation (Kenya), August 10, 2026

A Kenyan conservation organisation has called for an independent investigation and urgent regulatory reform after 15 elephants died recently at Amboseli National Park from ingesting cyanide-laced pesticides sprayed on nearby tomato farms. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed it has contained the situation but warned communities living around the park and neighbouring conservancies to exercise caution when using agricultural chemicals.

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Nigeria’s remaining 400 elephants face fight for survival — Conservationists

Punch (Nigeria), August 9, 2026

Nigeria has only about 400 elephants left in the wild, with conservationists warning that habitat loss, illegal ivory trade and human-wildlife conflict are threatening the survival of the species. The conservationists disclosed this at a media engagement organised by Wild Africa and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation ahead of World Elephant Day, celebrated annually on August 12. The News Agency of Nigeria monitored the event virtually on Sunday.

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What happens to elephants that stray from Kruger Park? South African policy needs a rewrite

The Conversation (Australia), August 6, 2026

When an elephant wandered out of South Africa’s Kruger National Park into the nearby village of Matsulu on 10 February 2024, hundreds of people gathered around and chased it. Wildlife officials tried to return the elephant to the park, but in the end had to destroy it. Elephants that leave Kruger National Park are generally treated as “damage-causing animals” under government policy. If an elephant is considered a danger to people, it may be put down.

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