A recent viral video from West Java, Indonesia, has ignited global outrage and highlighted growing concerns over human interactions with wildlife.
The footage captures a safari visitor recklessly tossing a plastic bag into a hippo’s mouth, leading to widespread condemnation online.
Source: @dailymail/YouTube
The incident occurred at Safari Park, where a hippo was seen near the edge of its enclosure, mouth agape.
While one passenger attempted to feed the animal a carrot from a car, another passenger threw a plastic bag into the hippo’s mouth, prompting the animal to chew on it.
This act has led to calls for strict action against the offender, as social media users demand accountability.
Safari Park management has initiated efforts to identify and apprehend the culprit, having tracked the vehicle’s license plate. Park spokesman Alexander Zulkarnain emphasized the importance of adhering to the park’s standard operating procedures.
“We urge him to make a public apology to teach a lesson to other visitors about complying with the standard operating procedures at the Indonesian Safari Park,” Zulkarnain told the Jakarta Globe. He noted that the visitor had previously been reprimanded for unsafe behavior in the tiger area.
Zulkarnain stressed the legal protections in place for all wildlife at the sanctuary, indicating potential legal consequences for mistreating the animals. Fortunately, the hippo has been examined and found to be in good health despite the incident.
Since its release, the video has gotten significant attention, amassing two million views and 14,000 likes on X (formerly Twitter).
This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 15 July 2024. Image Credit :wk1003mike/Shutterstock.
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