A man paid $600 to jump on a killer whale (5 photos + 1 video)

A 50-year-old Auckland resident jumped from a yacht onto a killer whale off the coast of New Zealand. The published video caused a storm of outrage, and the thrill-seeker was fined $600.





The video was published on social networks in February of this year. Animal rights activists reported the incident to the Department of Nature Conservation.



The footage shows a man jumping from the boat into the sea off the coast of Devonport, where two killer whales were swimming. The swimmer hits the surface of the water with his stomach, it seems that this frightens the predators, they swim away. Eyewitnesses laugh and encourage their friend.





He shouts: “I touched it. Did you manage to photograph it?”

His friend puts his hand in the water, trying to lure the killer whales.

Sea creatures appear, and a 50-year-old madman swims towards them.



Investigator Hayden Loper said the video showed shocking attitudes towards protected marine animals.

“After the first attempt to jump on the animal, the man remains in the water, and then swims towards it again, trying to touch it.”



Lauper called the action "grossly irresponsible," adding that "it is stupid behavior and shows a disregard for the well-being of the orca."

Police identified the man and he was fined $600. The offender did not talk to the investigator.

"Orcas are very strong animals. It could have ended horribly: a frightened whale could have been injured or attacked a person," Loper said.

"This is a clear violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Killer whales are classified as whales and swimming with them or disturbing or harassing any marine mammals is prohibited."