Animals should be treated with kindness. As humans, we are at the top of the food chain. Naturally, it becomes our responsibility to take care of other species. However, instances of animal abuse and teasing are a recurrent phenomenon. Repercussions of such inappropriate acts also come at a hefty cost. In a similar demonstration, a man from Auckland was fined $600 (approximately Rs 30,000) for trying to “body slam" two Orcas. A video of the incident which occurred in February at the coast of the Auckland suburb of Devonport has now gone viral.
New Zealand’s public service organisation, the Department of Conservation shared the video on Facebook on May 20. The footage captured the man diving into the waters from a cruise ship. As per NBC News, he attempted to land on a killer whale, also known as an Orca, which was with its calf. Although he failed to “body slam" the Orca, the offender touched the aquatic animal which is also against the rules. The man could be heard yelling, “I touched it" as his acquaintances on the cruise boat cheered and laughed in the background. The man even asked the others whether his stint was filmed, before trying to touch the Orca for the second time.
In an elaborate Facebook write-up, the Department of Conservation slammed the man for his unlawful behaviour, withholding his identity. “The incident showed a shocking and stupid attitude to protected marine mammals. The man showed reckless disregard for his own safety – and that of the adult male orca with a calf swimming near the vessel. We were subsequently tipped off to this video by a member of the public. We would like to thank those who continue to alert us to potential breaches of New Zealand’s wildlife laws," they said in the statement.
Social media users strongly opposed the abuse of the Orca. “Release the guy’s name. He deserves public humiliation too," vehemently criticised one individual. “And scientists wonder why orcas have been targeting small recreational boats," read another apt comment. “That behaviour is vile and so cruel," pointed out a third person.
According to investigation officer Hayden Loper it is illegal for a person to swim with Orcas aka killer whales under the New Zealand law.
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