Centre To Probe Kerala Elephant Killing: Minister

New Delhi: The Centre will investigate the killing of a pregnant elephant in Kerala that ate a pineapple stuffed with explosives, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Thursday.

The tragic visuals of the elephant, dead in a river, posted by a forest officer earlier this week have triggered outpouring of rage and grief on social media.

The government has taken “very serious note” of the elephant’s killing, tweeted Javadekar, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. “We will not leave any stone unturned to investigate properly and nab the culprit(s). This is not an Indian culture to feed fire crackers and kill,” NDTV quoted the minister as saying.

The wild elephant had strayed into a village near Silent Valley National Park in Palakkad last Wednesday and ate a pineapple filled with firecrackers, which burst in its mouth. The elephant had walked for days in pain before it went into a river and died standing on May 27.

Villagers in the region often use firecracker or explosive-filled fruits to protect their fields from wild animals.

Also Read: Twitterati Explode After Pregnant Elephant Dies Eating Pineapple Stuffed With Crackers