A man in New Zealand has been fined hundreds of dollars for what they describe as a “shocking and stupid attitude.” The man was captured on camera leaping off a boat in an attempt to “body slam” an orca that was swimming near a calf.
According to a news release issued on Tuesday, the Department of Conservation in New Zealand was informed of a video that was posted on Instagram in February and depicts the 50-year-old man engaging in the act. “In what appears to be a deliberate endeavor to touch or ‘body slam’ the orca,” the department stated, “he was off the coast of Devonport, Auckland, when the video was taken.”
“At one juncture in the video, the man shouts “I touched it” to the other individuals on the boat, before asking “did you get it?” This appears to be a reference to the filming of his antics,” the department stated. “As they observe, other individuals on board the vessel laugh and applaud.”
They further stated that this behavior “exhibited a callous disregard for his own safety and that of the adult male orca with a calf that was swimming in close proximity to the vessel.”
Hayden Loper, the principal investigation officer at the Department of Conservation, stated, “The video left us sincerely stunned.”
“In addition to his initial attempt to leap onto the animal, the man remains in the water and then swims toward it once more in a second attempt to make contact,” stated Loper. “This behavior is imprudent and reveals a startling lack of concern for the orca’s well-being.” It is exceedingly imprudent.
Orcas, which are also referred to as killer whales, are the largest members of the dolphin family and are classified as “nationally critical” in New Zealand. This designation indicates that they are “at an imminent high risk ofextinction.” The country’s waters are believed to be home to no more than 200 of the animals, and vessel traffic is a significant hazard. It is unlawful to swim with marine mammals or to cause them any form of disturbance.
The DOC stated that the man’s fate could have been catastrophically affected by the situation, given the enormous size of the animals, which can grow to nearly 30 feet in length, and the recent incidents off the coast of Spain in which orcas have sunk vessels. They stated that the possibility of damage could be posed by any sudden movements in close proximity to the animals.
“Orcas are incredibly powerful animals, and the situation could have ended in a tragic manner, with the startled whale being injured or the individual responsible being harmed by the agitated animal,” Loper stated.
The Auckland man has since been issued a $600 fine by the department, as they allege that his actions “display a startling and stupid attitude toward protected marine mammals.” The department stated on social media that the whales involved in the incident did not appear to have experienced any significant injury or disturbance.
