Bhubaneswar: The Forest Department has arrested a youth on charges of clicking photos and filming reels with a wild elephant in Odisha’s Keonjhar district.

Officials of the Forest Department initiated action against the youth, identified as Ganesh Nayak of Godhurigaon under Champua police limits, after he posted the reels on social media.

As per reports, Nayak allegedly clicked photos and shot reels with a wild elephant in violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The pachyderm had strayed into the human settlement some days ago.

Nayak later uploaded the photos and reels to his social media account. The Forest Department launched a probe into the incident after the photos and reels went viral on social media.

The Forest Department officials also arrested two aides of Nayak in connection with the incident. Nayak had been booked for similar offences in the past and he was on the run, said an official of the Forest Department.

Keonjhar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) HD Dhanraj, meanwhile, urged the villagers not to venture close to any wild animals and shoot photos or videos with them.

“We are urging people to maintain safe distance from wild animals, including elephants, that often stray into human settlements,” he said.