Posted for Likes, Ended in Custody: Tiger Teasing Video Backfires on Duo in Junagadh

A viral social media video became key evidence in helping forest officials identify and detain two men accused of harassing a tiger inside Junagadh's Sakkarbaug Zoological Park.

The two men were detained by forest department authorities after footage showing visitors teasing a tiger inside its enclosure triggered widespread outrage among wildlife enthusiasts and social media

users.

Video Captured Visitors Provoking Tiger

The footage, which began circulating widely on Monday, showed visitors allegedly lowering a piece of cloth through the enclosure fencing in an apparent attempt to provoke the animal's reaction.

The tiger was seen jumping towards the cloth while several bystanders recorded the incident on their mobile phones, with some appearing to encourage the act despite warnings and safety protocols in place at the zoo.

Viral Footage Leads Officials To Accused

Officials said the social media footage itself became a crucial starting point in the investigation.

Using CCTV footage from the zoo premises alongside digital clues available from videos shared online, zoo authorities and forest officials identified the suspects as Deva Shirodiya and Babulal Shirodiya, residents of Rajkot's Bodi Ghodi area.

The two were subsequently detained and proceedings initiated under relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Social Media Emerging As Investigative Tool

The incident once again demonstrated how videos uploaded for online attention can later become evidence for investigators.

In recent years, police and enforcement agencies have increasingly relied on viral videos, geolocation data, timestamps and publicly available digital content to identify suspects involved in offences ranging from traffic violations to wildlife crimes.

Officials said the Sakkarbaug case was another example of social media inadvertently becoming an investigative tool for authorities.

Zoo Authorities Issue Warning

Sakkarbaug Zoo Director Rajdeepsinh Jhala said authorities had taken serious note of the incident.

"The safety and well-being of the animals in our care remains our highest priority," he said.

The forest department reiterated that teasing, feeding or harassing animals in zoos and protected areas constitutes a punishable offence under Indian wildlife laws.

Officials added that surveillance and security arrangements around carnivore enclosures at the 163-year-old zoological park would be strengthened to prevent similar incidents.