Kerala: Pregnant elephant dies in river after being fed pineapple filled with crackers

A pregnant elephant died in Silent Valley Forest in Kerala's Palakkad district after a local allegedly fed her a pineapple stuffed with crackers.  incident showing an act of human cruelty took place on May 27 while elephant was standing in water and forest officials said that it died standing in river Velliyar after it suffered an injury in its lower jaw.

"First, we observed this animal on May 23 when we were informed by locals that an elephant has been roaming around in private area of forest. When one of our staff members went to saw elephant, it was observed that wound in lower jaw area was exposed. Later, for at least 24 hours animal was trying to look for water and on May 24 we received information that animal has come into river Velliyar," ANI quoted Wildlife Officer, Silent Valley National Park as saying.

'We are told to observe animal's behaviour'

"Even n animal did t take any solid matter and only took water. It was very weak so we called a vet, he was of opinion that it may t be possible to revive back but will see what options are available. Later we were told to observe animal's behaviour," he added.

Wildlife Officer said y later planned to take elephant out of river but by n she had collapsed. "Today we thought of taking animal to a safe spot to examine. Anyway, we had very little hope of reviving animal because it has t been eating for many days. So, before we could take animal out of stream, it had collapsed and we hope it was a peaceful death," he said.

'We will punish him for hunting elephant'

officer informed that two doctors are here at spot to carry out post-mortem and after that, carcass will be burnt. " cause for death is yet to be discovered and furr investigation is underway," he added.

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"It is certain that she was offered pineapple filled with crackers to eliminate her," Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Surendrakumar told PTI. "I have directed forest officials to nab culprit. We will punish him for 'hunting' elephant," he said.

On Wednesday afteron, Mannarkkad forest range officer said that FIR has been lodged against unidentified people under relevant sections of Wild Life Protection Act over incident.

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issue of Elephant's tragic death came to light after Mohan Krishnan, a forest officer, posted an emotional te on his Facebook p, narrating death of elephant in waters of Velliyar River.

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"When we saw her she was standing in river, with her head dipped in water. She had a sixth sense that she was going to die. She took Jalasamadhi in river in a standing position", Krishnan, who was deputed to bring elephant back to shore, wrote. He also posted photo of elephant standing in river water.

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(With ncy inputs)