If you ever notice an orca whale in the wild, the best thing to do is leave it be, but one man in New Zealand had other ideas. He was fined for trying to body slam an orca whale after the video of the incident was posted online and caught the attention of the authorities.
The video in question was posted on social media back in February, and the New Zealand Department of Conservation became aware of it after someone reported it. They decided to take action and eventually fined the man who filmed the video in Devonport, Auckland.
He can be seen jumping off the boat in an attempt to land on the orca whale, and the Department of Conservation’s principal officer Hayden Loper said they were genuinely stunned by this incident.
“As well as the initial attempt to dive onto the animal, the man stays in the water and then swims toward it again in a second attempt to touch it. This is stupid behavior and demonstrates a shocking disregard for the welfare of the orca. It is extremely irresponsible,” said Loper, according to CBS News.
Orca whales are in desperate need of protection in New Zealand, where they’re considered “nationally critical” animals since only 200 remain in the country waters, and disturbing them is considered illegal.
