Outrage as elephant dies after eating fruit packed with crackers

Palakkad (Kerala), June 3

The Kerala forest department had launched a manhunt for those responsible for the death of a 15-year-old pregnant wild elephant, said an official. The elephant had died after being seriously injured by firecrackers hidden in a pineapple.

The incident drew outrage on social media after forestry officer Mohan Krishnan posted an emotional apology to the elephant. Samuel Pachuau, wildlife warden of Silent Valley National Park, near here said this was a serious crime whosoever was behind it.

“We are quite certain to find the perpetrators of this crime, which is in no way acceptable at all. We came to know about this incident on May 23 when the elephant was spotted near a water source outside the national park,” said Pachuau.

According to him, some people had placed firecrackers inside a pineapple and this was eaten by the wild elephant and in the process of chewing, the cracker burst and injured the elephant. — IANS