Hundreds of elephants, wildebeests and zebras dead in Kenya amid prolonged drought conditions
Elephant and wildebeest killed during a two-day stampede from a small river in Kenya’s Nairobi National Park, the Associated Press reports. Hundreds of animals have been killed in a number of parks.
(CNN) – The death count for elephants and wildebeests during a two-day stampede in Kenya’s Nairobi National Park could be much higher than official estimates, a number of park rangers told CNN.
The National Parks Authority, which oversees Nairobi National Park and surrounding areas in Kenya, admitted this week that the number of dead animals was a “serious concern,” but says that the number of dead elephants was more than expected. The AP reports that park officials are investigating whether the number of dead animals was likely under-estimated.
The two-day stampede in 2007 claimed more than 1,000 lives and left animals roaming along the banks of Lake Naivasha, a man-made lake and wildlife sanctuary in Kenya.
A member of Kenya’s National Parks Authority told CNN that they “weren’t sure of the exact number of elephants that died” between April 10 and April 14. He added that he wasn’t aware of the exact number of wildebeests that died and that estimates could range from one to four. The National Parks Authority is investigating how the stampede happened.
CNN has learned that the first death in the stampede occurred on April 5. The stampede was caused by two bulls that had killed each other, although not in the same area. The stampede occurred as the elephants were moving to the lake.
About a half-day later, the second death occurred.
The National Parks Authority told CNN that a number of animals were found dead. They believe that there are some who died while moving through the park because of the stampede but didn’t have the exact cause of death.
The National Parks Authority is still investigating the cause of the stampede but says that it’s “a very clear sign of the health of the park and the
