Kolkata: The forest department in Jhargram has filed a complaint against two YouTube channels for shooting videos after provoking elephants. Foresters say the videographers threw stones at the elephants and tugged their tails so they got irritated and charged at them. The two channels have been booked under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Foresters told TOI the action was taken after the channels refused to pay heed to repeated warnings. While the videos are posted just for some views, they are extremely dangerous, the forest department said. “Their action is making elephants aggressive. People are also getting tempted to get close to elephants, leading to fatal incidents,” a forest officer said.
“Continuous harassment is changing the natural behaviour of the elephants,” said Jhargram DFO Pankaj Suryavanshi.
This year alone, five people have died in elephant attacks. Despite repeated warnings, tourists continue to take selfies with elephants.