A dangerous bid for online attention in eastern India ended with arrests after Ganesh Nayak, a young man from Odisha’s Kendujhar district, was seen grabbing a wild elephant’s tusk and posing for pictures, as Argus English reported.
What happened?
Police detained Nayak following an online video showing him getting close to a wild elephant and filming himself with a hand on one of its tusks for social media, the outlet said.
An inquiry by the Forest Department began once the clip started circulating, Argus English reported.
Divisional Forest Officer HD Dhanaraj framed the incident as part of a troubling trend.
“Despite repeated awareness campaigns, some youngsters continue to risk their lives for social media likes, views and followers,” Dhanaraj said, according to Argus English.
The case also led to the arrest of two other people. Officials said they were accused of provoking wildlife and breaking protection laws, with action taken under Section 50 of India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, per the outlet.
Officials added Nayak had been linked to earlier animal-related cases and was absconding before his arrest.
Why does it matter?
Wild elephants are powerful, unpredictable animals, and even a moment that looks calm on camera can turn violent within seconds. A frightened or agitated elephant can seriously injure or kill anyone nearby.
Dangerous interactions with wildlife are often driven by human behavior, including habitat disruption, crowding, and people entering animal spaces for entertainment or social media content.
Such incidents can stress animals, normalize unsafe behavior, and encourage copycat stunts.
When wildlife is disturbed near villages or roads, the danger extends beyond the people doing the filming. Bystanders, forest staff, and residents who share space with these animals every day can all be put at risk.
Posing for photos with wild animals is one of the most tempting maneuvers for tourists and residents looking to go viral, but it can also be one of the most dangerous.
What’s being done?
In Odisha, forest officials answered the viral video with an investigation that resulted in arrests. The hope is that with swift action, the consequences for Nayak and his two companions can be a deterrent that sinks in more than awareness campaigns.
“This arrest sends a strong message that such reckless acts will invite strict legal action,” Dhanaraj said, according to Argus English.
Nayak and the other two will now face charges for allegedly provoking a wild animal and violating wildlife protection laws, the outlet said.
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