An elephant was caught on camera scavenging through plastic waste and eating some of the trash left behind by disrespectful tourists.

The heartbreaking photo took place in West Bengal, India, where a wild elephant was attracted to a pile of trash reportedly dumped in nature by tourists.

While elephants normally eat vegetation such as grasses, roots, fruits, and tree bark, it is believed that the animal in question was lured to the spot occupied by rubbish due to the smell produced by rotting waste.

According to Pranab Das, the witness who took the tear-jerking photos of the animal, the waste was dumped by tourists.

As the journalist also insisted, he noticed that the elephant was eating some of the plastic waste dumped in its natural habitat.

“I hope these photos encourage people to stop littering. The garbage was left behind by vans,” Das said as he encouraged people to take better care of the environment.

“The elephant was snacking on plastic which was painful for me to see.”

After the photos went viral, people have expressed their concerns for the wellbeing of the elephant and suggested that the animal could die as a result of the actions of inconsiderate tourists.

According to the reports, elephants have previously succumbed to their health problems and died after ingesting plastic waste which is known to be harmful to their organs.

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Replaced!