Call to end the outrageous use of crude bombs concealed in fruit that kills elephants!
If you love elephants, you've probably heard about the tragic and senseless killing of a pregnant wild elephant in Kerala, India. This beautiful 15 year old elephant was experiencing her first pregnancy when she left the Silent Valley National Park in search of food.
The hungry expecting-mother was likely excited when she smelled the delicious ripe pineapple. When she tried to take a bite, the crude "country bomb" exploded inside her mouth, shattering her jaw and causing mortal injuries to her mouth, tongue and sensitive trunk, leaving her in senseless pain. In agony, she walked around for days, unable to eat because of her injuries. She eventually went to a river looking for relief from the excruciating pain, where she slowly sunk to her watery grave.
UPDATE: One man has been arrested and the search is on for two other prime suspects who are absconding, as of now.
As an elephant lover, I don't have to remind you this is unacceptable. We're outraged, and we must take effective action! We MUST stop the appalling and illegal use of these explosive indiscriminate killers!
- Demand a full investigation of the crime and prosecute those responsible.
- Enforce laws banning the use of explosives to control wildlife conflict.
- Stop the sale and purchase of materials used in the creation of locally-made explosives and home-made bombs.
- Encourage awareness and education of humane methods to manage human-wildlife conflict, instead of ruthless revenge-killings.
Crude "country bombs" are inserted inside fruits like water melons, papayas, and pineapples then left near fields by local farmers in rural areas to control wild boar that eat their crops. The practice is illegal! The explosives indiscriminately kill other wildlife like bears, elephants and even people. The choice of juicy ripe pineapples helps mask the smell of gunpowder, but it is particularly alluring to elephants and bears.
Wildlife SOS is offering ₹100,000 Rs reward for information that results in the conviction of this elephant's killer!
Take action now! Demand a full investigation and ongoing enforcement!
