The 70-year-old bony elephant, Tikiiri, which was featured in viral photos during a parade, later collapsed, according to a local minister and an animal welfare group that posted the original photos on Facebook.
Sri Lanka’s tourism and wildlife minister, John Amaratunga, said on Friday, Aug. 16, that an investigation was launched into the matter, NDTV reported. He is asking how the apparently emaciated elephant was forced to partake in a lengthy parade.
