肯尼亚野生动物当局确认，过去一个月内在南部地区死亡的15头大象因食用被氰化物污染的番茄而中毒身亡 [1]。这些受污染的番茄来自与Amboseli国家公园相邻的农场 [1]。肯尼亚野生动物管理局的初步实验室检测证实了氰化物的存在 [1]。
肯尼亚野生动物管理局局长Erustus Kanga表示，"氰化物是一种高度有毒的化学物质，对大象特别有害" [1]。当局警告，该污染可能对当地畜牧业造成更广泛的威胁，因为山羊和牛等家畜也在该地区放牧 [1]。此前农民曾故意使用毒物杀死大象以防止其破坏庄稼 [1]。
Kenya's wildlife authorities have confirmed that 15 elephants died from cyanide poisoning over the past month in southern Kenya after consuming contaminated tomatoes from farms adjacent to Amboseli National Park.[1] Preliminary laboratory testing by the Kenya Wildlife Service detected the presence of cyanide, establishing a direct link between the toxic chemical and the deaths.[1]
According to Kenya Wildlife Service Director Erustus Kanga, "cyanide is a highly toxic chemical substance that is particularly harmful to elephants."[1] The contaminated produce came from agricultural areas bordering the national park, where farmers have historically used poison as a means to prevent elephants from destroying their crops.[1] Beyond the elephant deaths, local livestock including goats and cattle that graze in the region face similar risk from the contaminated food supply.[1]