Kendujhar: A 15-year-old boy was killed by an elephant in Silipunji forest under Champua forest range in Kendujhar forest division Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as Akash Mohanta, a Class X student from Manima village under Champua block in the district.
He had gone to the forest after hearing that a herd of around 25 elephants was in the area, forest officials said.
He came close to an elephant, which lifted him with its trunk and battered him to the ground. Forest staff rescued Akash and took him to Bhanda Community Health Centre, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Champua forest range officer SR Nayak said people con tinued to approach elephant herds to watch them or take photographs despite repeated warnings and awareness campaigns.
He urged residents to keep away from forests when elephants are present.
Wildlife enthusiasts have called on the forest department to act against people who approach elephants for selfies or photographs, warning that such behaviour can disturb the animals and provoke defensive attacks