Palakkad: In a major development in the death of a wild pregnant elephant in Kerala, the prime accused has confessed to his crime that he had filled the coconut with explosive materials as a snare to kill wild boars. On Friday, the cops recorded the statement of the alleged kingpin Wilson, a rubber tapper in Chalikkal Othukkumpuram estate in Kottoppadam.
However, the hunt for two more accused Abdul Kareem, the estate owner and his son Riyazuddin are still on.
As a part of the police investigation, Wilson took the police officials to a shed on the plantation where they reportedly prepared the explosives. The materials used for preparing the explosives were also found at the shed.
Further inquiry has also revealed that Wilson is also involved in the poaching and selling the meat of wild animals. The accused has been booked under the relevant sections of the Forest and Wildlife Protection and Explosives Act.
It is to be noted that locally made explosives are stuffed in fruits in an attempt to protect the crops from wild animals like boars. According to the forest department officers, the elephant chomped off the coconut filled with explosives which resulted in deep injuries in its mouth, preventing the jumbo to eat or drink water for days.
READ: Wild elephant had major oral wounds; did not eat for nearly 2 weeks before drowning: Autopsy report
Further, the autopsy report of the dead elephant revealed that the jumbo had major wounds in its oral cavity,most likely following an explosive blast, due to which she could not eat for nearly two weeks. The preliminary report stated that drowning, followed by inhalation of water leading to lung failure was the immediate cause of death of the elephant.
No bullet, snare or any other metallic or foreign object found in any part of the carcass, the report said.
The report said extensive necrotic debris of several indistinguishable soft tissues, fully infested with maggots, were found inside the mouth. Also, distinct fracture and erosions of major portions of maxillary bones and medial portions of body of mandible (jaw bone) on both sides were also noticed.
The elephant died in the Velliyar River with the incident triggering national outrage, prompting Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to assert that stern action would be taken against the accused.
(With inputs from PTI)
READ: Pregnant wild elephant dies after cracker-laden pineapple explodes in her mouth
