PITTSBURGH —

Police said a video posted to Instagram was a key piece of evidence as they filed charges against an Ohio man who allegedly trespassed at the Pittsburgh Zoo and had a close encounter with an elephant.

Noah Thomas, of Ohio, is facing several charges for the incident that happened on Sept. 21. Advertisement

Police said Thomas and another person entered the zoo through a temporary exit without purchasing tickets and made their way to the elephant barn.

That’s where Thomas allegedly jumped a fence and approached an elephant that was behind a gate.

Police located a video on Instagram that they said shows the incident, including the elephant charging the gate and throwing its trunk in an attempt to strike Thomas.

Police also said there were about 25 adult and child patrons in

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