CHANDIGARH–International animal welfare charity, World Animal Protection is outraged over the death of a pregnant elephant in India’s southern state of Kerala.
The organization has demanded stringent action against those culprits who fed the elephant a firecracker laden pineapple, which exploded in her mouth and caused severe injuries resulted in the death of the sentient being.
As the gruesome details of this barbaric act surfaced, World Animal Protection has written to the Environment Minister of India, Prakash Javadekar; the Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan and also to local authorities seeking swift and strong action against the culprits. The perpetrators of this act are still at large.
“World Animal Protection notes with anguish the news of a pregnant elephant allegedly being fed with a cracker laden pineapple in Palakkad district in Kerala. We strongly condemn this cruel act and strongly urge the authorities to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. We should be protecting and cherishing our wild animals, not inflicting torture on them like this,” said Gajender K Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection India.
As per media reports, the incident came to light after a forest officer narrated the details of the horrific death on social media.
The forest officer informed that the elephant was roaming peacefully in search for food, when some locals gave her a firecracker laden pineapple. Unsuspecting any foul play, the elephant ate the pineapple, which exploded in her mouth.
The explosion in her mouth caused severe damage to her tongue and mouth. She could not eat anything. Eventually, the elephant walked and stood in a river nearby. She put her trunk and mouth in the river to get some relief from the searing pain. Later, the elephant succumbed to her injuries and died standing in the river.
Elephants are India’s heritage animals and they deserve to be treated with care and dignity. Such acts of violence and torture against these sentient creatures is another example that proves wild animals belong in the wild.
By Yadavindra S.Rana
yadavindras@gmail.com