With the outgrowing rage over the shocking death of a pregnant elephant in Kerala, a manhunt to arrest those responsible for the heinous crime has been started.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Thursday assured that strict action will be taken against the culprits.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday, also said that the forest department is probing the case and the culprits will be punished.

The 15 year old elephant had consumed a pineapple filled with firecrackers which exploded in the animal’s mouth and died after a week.

The elephant died at Velliyar River in Thiruvizhamkunnu forest section in Kottopadam grama panchayat on May 27. Forest officials tried to bring the animal’s body to the river bank using two other trained elephants but failed. Later the post-mortem indicated that the elephant was pregnant.