The death of a 15-year-old pregnant elephant in Kerala, India on May 27 has shocked the internet and angered the public in India.
It all started when the elephant wandered into a village searching for food and was given a pineapple stuffed with firecrackers, which might have caused the explosion in her mouth and fractured her bones. Due to the severe injury on her upper and lower jaws as well as her tongue, she could not eat anything and became weak.
Days later, she was found standing in the middle of the Velliyar River, probably to soothe her pain from the wound that had been infested by worms. Local wildlife officers brought two other elephants to lead her out of the river, but she refused and stayed there for several hours until she died, painfully but upright.
Photo source: Mohan Krishnan / FB
Photo source: Facebook
“She trusted everyone,” said Mohan Krishnan, a member of the Rapid Response Team to rescue the elephant on his 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.”
Her death sparked outrage nationwide as well as on the internet.
“She trusted us... We failed her... Humanity will pay, this is just the beginning,” wrote a Twitter user.
“It’s a shame for @CMOKerala @TheKeralaPolice. Highest literacy? Peaceful community? I am in real doubt now. Literate and such inhuman behavior is not tolerable. RIP humanity,” commented another.
【ARTISTS PAYING TRIBUTE】
Animal rights groups and animal activists are calling for justice for the elephant. Netizens have been grieving the elephant and her baby with their artworks as well.
Photo source: We Don’t Deserve This Planet
Photo source: Haimanti
Photo source: Naman Chhajed
Photo source: Avinash Thakur
An investigation has been launched since the death of the elephant. One suspect has been arrested today (June 5) and more are expected to be detained.
Justice will prevail! The culprits will pay for what they have done.
Cover photo: Mohan Krishnan FB || karan acharya Twitter
