The death of the pregnant elephant in the Manarkkad forest area near Palakkad, Kerala has become a national issue with widespread condemnation for those responsible for two lives cut short unnaturally. Initial reports suggested that a pineapple filled with firecrackers was deliberately fed to her and it exploded causing internal damage and the mammoth animal went into the water to ease the pain and stood there for two weeks without food.

The preliminary post mortem report has been recorded and it points out that there is no way for a pineapple filled explosive to have gotten into her body. However the reason could be that the elephant had fallen into a snare set for wildboars and had bitten the explosives. Three suspects have been pulled in for questioning by the cops.

The postmortem report reads "The major and incapacitating wounds that led to localized sepsis in the oral cavity are evidences for severe traumatic injury and have most likely occurred following an explosive blast in the mouth. This has prevented the animal from taking food and water for several days and led to severe debility and weakness."

The report added "Water filled condition of lungs is an indication of drowning. Inhalation of water leading to respiratory failure, is the immediate cause of the death of the elephant.". The full postmortem report will be out once the investigation is completed.