Second elephant death reported in Kerala after eating fruit filled with firecracker

As the merciless killing of a pregnant elephant in Kerala continous to create an uproar a second incident of similar act has been reported in the state. According to reports, a young female elephant died after eating fruit filled with firecrackers exactly a month ago. A top forest officer told PTI that another female elephant had met with similar fate in April in Pathanapuram forest range area under Punalur division in Kollam district. The officer revealed, that the elephant was found in a serious condition from the fringe areas of the forests in Pathanapuram by forest officials in the month of April.

"The pachyderm was found alienated from the herd of elephants. Its jaw was broken and it was unable to eat," the senior officer told PTI. "It was very weak. When the forest officials approached, the elephant ran into the forest and joined the herd of elephants waiting there. But the next day, the elephant was again found alienated from its herd. Proper treatment was given but unfortunately it succumbed to its wounds," he said. It is suspected that the elephant bit a food item filled with crackers and it exploded in her mouth. We are waiting for the postmortem report," the officer, who did not wish to be identified, said.

Forest officials opined that investigation into such cases was very tough."It is very difficult to gather information in such incidents. Locating the place where they meet with such fate is not easy as the herd of wild elephants travels several kilometers a day. The incident comes to the notice of forest officials after the ill fated elephants are found alienated from their herds. There has been an outpouring of grief for a pregnant wild elephant from Silent Valley that died after eating a pineapple filled with firecrackers. After the fruit exploded in her mouth, the elephant walked for days in pain before she went into a river and died standing on May 27.  Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said strict action would be taken against those responsible for the elephant's death. "