Bhubaneswar: Two youths have been arrested in Odisha's Keonjhar district for allegedly harassing a wild elephant after a video showing them pulling its tail and beating it with sticks went viral on social media.

The incident reportedly took place in Kantiapada village of Keonjhar district. The viral video shows the youths pulling the elephant's tail and repeatedly hitting its back and legs with sticks, apparently in an attempt to tease and provoke the animal.

The youths allegedly recorded the incident and uploaded the video on social media, seemingly to show off their actions.

Taking serious note of the incident, the Forest Department initiated action and arrested the two accused, identified as Rahul Behera and Sujit Kumar Nayak.

They were booked under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and subsequently forwarded to court. As they were denied bail, both were sent to jail.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the harassment of wild elephants in the region. Despite repeated appeals by the Forest Department urging people not to disturb or provoke elephants, some youths continue to engage in risky activities, putting both human lives and wildlife at risk.

The Forest Department has urged people to maintain a safe distance from elephants and refrain from disturbing them, photographing them from close quarters or provoking them for social media content.