Self-centred tourists have been slammed for putting the lives of elephants at risk after shocking images emerged of one rummaging for food in a pile of rubbish.
Pictures show an elephant in Bengal, India, with litter on its head as it wades through piles of plastic rubbish while looking for food.
The majestic animals have previously died after eating plastic - with the toxic waste killing them within days.
A local journalist called for action after the images went viral as the culprits were quickly put in their place by stunned social media users.
Pranab Das said he saw one eating plastic - and said people must have more respect.
His pictures show the heartbreaking moment the hungry elephant searched for food in mountains of rubbish discarded by tourists.
The largest existing land animals are endangered - and normally eat only grass, fruit and vegtables.
Writer Pranab was upset by what he saw and warned others to take care of the environment.
"I hope these photos encourage people to stop littering," he said.
"The garbage was left behind by vans.
"The elephant was snacking on plastic which was painful for me to see."
His pictures were also uploaded to twitter with many slamming the "ignorant" people who left the rubbish.
One wrote: "This is absolutely disgusting. what human being could live with themselves?"
