This Pregnant Elephant Died in Agony After Being Fed Explosives

A pregnant elephant died in agony after she consumed a pineapple stuffed with explosives in Kerala, India. The horrific news has sparked outrage worldwide.

PETA India’s emergency response team is in touch with senior forest officials in Kerala to help bring those responsible to justice. One arrest has been made, and three suspects have been identified.

The Animal Welfare Board of India, a government body, has also issued this letter:

This isn’t the first time an elephant has died after crude bombs exploded or fireworks were set off. They and other wild animals are often killed to protect crops, a practice which must be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Instead of killing animals, town and farm planning must take into account the importance of protecting their natural habitats. There are also countless humane ways to protect crops, including fencing, noisemakers, and, in the case of elephants, planting chili peppers around the farm perimeter.

PETA also encourages forest departments to hold educational workshops for local farmers on humane methods of crop protection, and we urge the public never to take matters involving wild animals into their own hands and to contact the forest department instead.

Dear @PrakashJavdekar, elephants also suffer in cruel captivity.

Please protect elephants by amending Section 40 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 to prohibit keeping elephants in captivity. https://t.co/mLPfwC4DJ9

— PETA India (@PetaIndia) June 4, 2020

Elephants are a National Heritage Animal in India, and it’s high time they were treated as such. This includes protecting the forests in which they live and opposing cruel circuses, zoos, rides, festivals, and the like, for which they’re held captive and spend nearly their entire lives in chains.

Speak Up for Elephants

Elephants are intelligent, self-aware animals. Those held captive in zoos and tourist attractions—even ones that are deceptively called “orphanages” or “refuges”—endure heartbreaking physical and psychological abuse that’s inflicted in order to force them to give rides, perform tricks, and tolerate direct contact with the public.