Pregnant elephant killed after firecracker pineapple

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Tragedy in Kerala: The Pregnant Elephant and the Explosive Pineapple

Tragedy in Kerala: The Pregnant Elephant and the Explosive Pineapple

In May 2020, a shocking and heart-wrenching incident in Kerala, India, stirred global outrage. A pregnant wild elephant, believed to be around 15 years old, wandered into a rural area in search of food. What followed was a cruel and calculated act: locals allegedly offered her a pineapple stuffed with firecrackers. The explosion left her mouth and tongue severely injured, rendering her unable to eat or drink. She wandered in agony for days before succumbing to her injuries, standing solemnly in the Velliyar River. This incident offers a stark snapshot of the broader human-wildlife conflict brewing in regions like Kerala.

📅 Timeline of Events

  • Late April – Early May 2020: The elephant forages near village areas bordering Silent Valley Forest, likely in search of food :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
  • She consumes a pineapple laced with firecrackers, triggering a deadly explosion in her mouth :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
  • Suffering immense pain and unable to eat, she wanders into the village and nearby forests :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
  • Officials and rescuers locate her around May 25 and find her standing in water in the Velliyar River :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
  • Despite rescue efforts—including calling captive elephants to coax her to safety—she dies on May 27, standing in the river :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

The Slow Agony

Forest officer Mohan Krishnan, part of the rescue team, shared an emotional account on Facebook:

"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." :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Krishnan observed that she stood with her head and trunk in water, possibly to ease the pain of her wounds and shield herself from flies and insects :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

The Rescue Attempt

Authorities mobilized a Rapid Response Team from the Kerala Forest Department. They carefully approached the traumatized elephant and introduced two trained, captive elephants—Surendran and Neelakanthan—to guide her from the riverbanks. Tragically, she passed away around 4 PM on May 27, before aid could succeed :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

Post-mortem Revelations & Emotional Toll

The post-mortem confirmed the horrifying injuries to her mouth, jaws, and tongue, and revealed she was approximately one month pregnant :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}. The cause of death was identified as asphyxia due to water entering her lungs as she stood in the river :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

As officials transported the body, even the captive elephants appeared to mourn—rumor suggests they shed tears, illustrating their empathy. Krishnan remarked: "I felt the river start to boil with those tears, a river’s protest against selfish mankind." :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Legal and Social Repercussions

The horrific nature of the crime triggered national and international condemnation:

  • CBS News reported that a suspect was arrested and that authorities were probing whether it was poaching or farm-related retaliation :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
  • Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, pledged a thorough investigation, assuring that justice would prevail :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
  • India’s cricket star Virat Kohli condemned the act as “cowardly,” while business magnate Ratan Tata demanded justice :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
  • Animal rights activist and BJP parliamentarian Maneka Gandhi called it "murder” and demanded strict punishment :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

Broader Human-Wildlife Conflict

This tragic case is not just an isolated act of animal cruelty, but a symptom of increasing conflict between humans and wildlife:

  • Habitat Fragmentation: Forests are shrinking, pushing wild animals into farmlands and human habitats :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
  • Cruel 'Bait Bombs': Farmers increasingly resort to stuffing food with explosives to deter wildlife like wild boars or elephants :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
  • Lack of Alternatives: Experts and NGOs have emphasized the need for humane, sustainable farming practices, crop insurance, and community coexistence strategies :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.

Spreading Awareness: YouTube Video

Above is a harrowing video report highlighting the incident, emotional rescue attempt, and the tragic end. This YouTube video provides essential visual context :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.

Calls for Policy Reforms

Following the incident:

  • Humane Society International–India offered a ≈₹50,000 reward for information leading to perpetrators’ conviction :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
  • Kerala's forest department and police emphasized stronger enforcement of wildlife protection laws :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
  • Animal rights organizations continued advocating for humane deterrents—like fencing, beehive fences, and community education—including crop insurance incentives :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.

Ending Note: A Tragedy & A Wake-Up Call

This heart-wrenching story goes beyond a single victim—it’s emblematic of escalating conflicts between humanity and nature. The pregnant elephant, trusting humans, met an agonizing end, shifting the spotlight on urgent issues:

  1. **Stricter enforcement** of wildlife protection laws.
  2. **Community education** to dismantle cruel farming traps.
  3. **Policy support**, including crop insurance and sustainable agriculture methods.
  4. **Empathy and behavior change**—for coexisting peacefully with wildlife.

May this tragic incident spark global reflection and action toward protecting our planet’s most vulnerable beings.

References:
- Sky News, Reuters, India Today, NDTV, CBS News, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Humane Society International
For deeper reading:
• Sky News: “Pregnant elephant killed after eating pineapple filled with firecrackers”
• Reuters/CBS/NDTV: Multiple eyewitness and investigative reports
• Humane Society International Press Release: ₹50,000 reward for justice
• YouTube highlight: Video of rescue attempt and emotional scene

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