1. Man fined for trying to ‘body slam’ orca in Auckland
2. Man fined for attempting to ‘body slam’ orca in boat in Auckland.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A man has been fined after a shocking incident in Auckland, where he attempted to body slam an orca from a boat. The disturbing incident was captured on video, showing the man yelling “I touched it” as he made his reckless move towards the majestic marine mammal.
The video footage left conservationists stunned, with concerns raised about the man’s blatant disregard for the welfare of the orca. Department of Conservation (DoC) spokesperson, Loper, highlighted the dangerous nature of the man’s actions, stating that such behaviour could have resulted in harm to both the orca and the individual involved.
Violation of Marine Mammals Protection Act
According to Loper, the man’s actions constituted a clear breach of the Marine Mammals Protection Act, which prohibits swimming with, disturbing, or harassing marine mammals such as orcas. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and adhering to conservation legislation.
Orca Population in New Zealand Waters
Orca, also known as killer whales, are apex predators and play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. The population of orcas in New Zealand waters is estimated to be between 150 and 200 individuals. Disturbances caused by vessels, including recreational boats, pose a significant threat to orcas due to noise pollution and potential boat strikes.
Reporting Wildlife Violations
Loper urged the public to report any incidents of wildlife violations to the Department of Conservation. Social media users have played a key role in alerting authorities to such incidents, leading to successful prosecutions in recent years. Anyone witnessing activities that may breach conservation legislation can contact the DoC hotline at 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
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“Man fined after attempting to body slam orca from boat in Auckland”
“Man fined for trying to body slam orca from boat in Auckland”.
