Kenya Detains Four Over Mass Elephant Deaths In Amboseli

NAIROBI, Aug 24 (dpa) - Four suspects have been detained after 18 elephants died in Kenya's Amboseli region, the Kenya Wildlife Service has said, adding that a search is under way for a fifth person. 

Between June 24 and July 31, 16 elephants were found dead in Amboseli National Park and surrounding protected areas. Two further cases have been recorded since then.

Early reports suggested the elephants died from cyanide poisoning after eating pesticide-contaminated tomatoes from nearby farms.

Chemicals and other substances were seized during searches carried out over the weekend in connection with the arrests. Officials suspect the materials came from a neighbouring country, the authority said.

The substances had not been labelled and were possibly toxic. They are now being tested in laboratories in part of the ongoing investigation.

The Amboseli region, which borders Tanzania, is known for its large elephant herds that draw safari tourists from around the world.

--NNN-dpa