KERALA MAKES ITS FIRST ARREST IN PREGNANT ELEPHANT'S DEATH CASE, SAYS MINISTER 

Days after the horrific killing of a pregnant elephant in a forest area in Palakkad district, the first arrest has been made in this matter. 

The Kerala Forest Minister said that a man has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the death of a pregnant elephant. Taking to social media, the forest department confirmed the "major breakthrough!" and said, "KFG has zeroed on the culprits and recorded the first arrest in the wild elephant death case."   

Ever since the death of the elephant has taken place, it has sparked an outcry on social media. This arrest comes a day after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that three suspects have been identified and are being interrogated.

As per a NDTV report, according to Chief Wildlife Warden Surendra Kumar, the man, who has been arrested had allegedly handled explosives and also assisted others.  

"The arrested man is a rubber tapper. A search is on for others," Palakkad district police chief G Siva Vikram said.  

Further giving light over the matter, forest officials said the elephant could have died due to severe mouth injuries after eating explosives mixed with some edible substance. The farmers in that area usually used it as a trap to keep wild animals like boars away from destroying crops.

The wild elephant, who had strayed into a village near Silent Valley National Park in Palakkad last month walked for days in agony before it went into a river and died standing on May 27.

Major breakthrough!

KFD has zeroed on the culprits and recorded the first arrest in the wild elephant death case.

— Kerala Forest Department (@ForestKerala) June 5, 2020