Tragedy has struck in Southern India after a pregnant elephant died after eating a pineapple that concealed a hidden firecracker. The elephant had apparently wandered into a village near the Silent Valley Forest in the Indian state of Kerala when it bit into the booby-trapped food.
It is believed that farmers often leave food filled with explosives to ward off wild boars who eat their crops – however, it is unusual for an elephant to enter the villages and be harmed by such a device.
The young elephant took a considerable amount of time to die with the initial explosion breaking her jaw and causing massive damage to her face and tongue. She was later found in a river and, despite the efforts of villagers to remove the elephant and get her veterinary treatment, she died the same day. Two captive elephants were even brought in to help pull the elephant ashore, but to no avail.
Conservationist Mohan Krishnan, who attended the scene, stated on a social media post that,
“She trusted everyone. When the pineapple she ate exploded, she must have been shocked not thinking about herself, but about the child she was going to give birth to in 18 to 20 months. When we saw her she was standing in the river, with her head dipped in the water. She had a sixth sense that she was going to die. She didn’t harm a single human being even when she ran in searing pain in the streets of the village. She didn’t crush a single home.”
A spokesperson for the Kerala Forestry service added:
“It seems this elephant was very unfortunate and unlucky. In my 20 years of service I have heard of three such cases in the past with elephants. It is very sad and we are all very sad about it.”
Indian industrialist, Ratan Tata, shared on his twitter:
— Ratan N. Tata (@RNTata2000) June 3, 2020
There has been a public outcry at the incident with anger being directed towards farmers who use such devices to protect their crops, and over 2 million people have now signed an online petition calling for justice. The petition calls for greater enforcement of animal rights laws and for harsher punishment for those caught committing such acts:
“We must continue to challenge the so called law to stop this type of inhuman act. We stand the best chance possible of turning back the tide on killers with harsher punishments.”, reads an extract of the petition.
Article 51-A (g) of the Indian Constitution says that it shall be duty of every citizen of India to have compassion for living creatures. The pregnant elephant in pic was killed in human- wildlife conflict.Action has already been initiated. But where lies our duty? N humanity?? pic.twitter.com/V1ufNt3HfN
— Kerala Forest Department (@ForestKerala) June 3, 2020
The Indian Constitution (Article 51-A (g)) at present does indeed call on all citizens to have a duty to have compassion for all living creatures – however, it is clear that this responsibility is being ignored by at least some. It is hoped that with the story and petition going viral real change can now be expected to take place.
Feel free to share this story to raise awareness of this terrible event.
Please don't forget to sign the petition which can be found here.
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