Amboseli National Park
Why in News?
Kenya has deployed thermal drones in and around Amboseli National Park to reduce human–elephant conflict. The development comes amid reports of the deaths of 15 elephants in the wider Amboseli ecosystem, with preliminary tests indicating a possible toxic substance; the Kenya Wildlife Service is investigating the cause.
Geographical Profile
- Located in southern Kenya, near the Kenya–Tanzania border.
- Situated at the northern foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.
- The protected park covers approximately 392 sq km, but forms part of a much larger transboundary ecosystem of nearly 8,000–8,100 sq km.
- The landscape includes dry plains, acacia woodlands, wetlands, marshes and the usually dry Lake Amboseli.
- Managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Ecological Importance
- Amboseli is one of Africa’s important strongholds for African elephants (Loxodonta africana).
- The park and surrounding areas recorded approximately 1,903 elephants in the 2025 census.
- The larger ecosystem supports elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and several hundred bird species.
- Its ecological health depends on wildlife movement across community-owned lands and corridors outside the formal park boundary.
