In a concerning incident that has alarmed wildlife authorities, a man has been penalized with a $600 infringement fine after he leapt from a boat into the waters near two orca off the coast of Devonport, Auckland. The disturbing episode, captured in a video shared on Instagram in February, prompted swift action from the Department of Conservation (DOC), who condemned the man's actions as displaying a "shocking and stupid attitude" towards protected marine mammals.

According to DOC Principal Investigation Officer Hayden Loper, the 50-year-old Auckland resident exhibited reckless disregard for both his own safety and that of the adult male orca and calf swimming nearby. The footage depicts the man attempting to touch or "body slam" the orca, while gleefully boasting about his actions to others on the boat.

"This is stupid behavior and demonstrates a shocking disregard for the welfare of the orca," Hayden remarked, emphasizing the potential danger posed by such reckless antics. "Orca are immensely powerful animals, and this really could have ended horribly – with either the startled whale being injured, or the man responsible being harmed by the aggravated animal."

The incident, a clear violation of the Marine Mammals Protection Act, highlights the legal protections in place to safeguard marine mammals from disturbance or harassment. Disturbance by vessels, including recreational boats, poses a significant threat to orca populations due to noise pollution and the risk of boat strikes.

Hayden urged social media users in New Zealand to remain vigilant and report any content that may breach wildlife protection legislation. "This is the third case in recent years in which social media content has led to a successful prosecution for DOC, and we greatly appreciate the tip-offs we get from the public."

Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand - February 15, 2024

In a concerning incident that has alarmed wildlife authorities, a man has been penalized with a $600 infringement fine after he leapt from a boat into the waters near two orca off the coast of Devonport, Auckland. The disturbing episode, captured in a video shared on Instagram in February, prompted swift action from the Department of Conservation (DOC), who condemned the man's actions as displaying a "shocking and stupid attitude" towards protected marine mammals.

According to DOC Principal Investigation Officer Hayden Loper, the 50-year-old Auckland resident exhibited reckless disregard for both his own safety and that of the adult male orca and calf swimming nearby. The footage depicts the man attempting to touch or "body slam" the orca, while gleefully boasting about his actions to others on the boat.

"This is stupid behavior and demonstrates a shocking disregard for the welfare of the orca," Hayden remarked, emphasizing the potential danger posed by such reckless antics. "Orca are immensely powerful animals, and this really could have ended horribly – with either the startled whale being injured, or the man responsible being harmed by the aggravated animal."

The incident, a clear violation of the Marine Mammals Protection Act, highlights the legal protections in place to safeguard marine mammals from disturbance or harassment. Disturbance by vessels, including recreational boats, poses a significant threat to orca populations due to noise pollution and the risk of boat strikes.

Hayden urged social media users in New Zealand to remain vigilant and report any content that may breach wildlife protection legislation. "This is the third case in recent years in which social media content has led to a successful prosecution for DOC, and we greatly appreciate the tip-offs we get from the public."