VI
EN
A video clip showing a man mistreating an animal has caused a stir online. In the clip, a tourist leans out of a car window, dangling a carrot, before throwing it into the animal's mouth. At the same time, a transparent plastic bag-like object is thrown into the hippo's mouth, causing it to hesitate and close its mouth before attempting to chew.
Despite his thoughtless act, the man laughed gleefully, and others burst into laughter as well. The clip, after being posted online, received a lot of attention from the online community. Most people criticized the man's actions of feeding the hippo a plastic bag.
The controversial image has been circulating on social media.
The incident occurred at Taman Safari Park in Bogor, Indonesia, according to the New York Post. The wildlife sanctuary condemned the act. "This incident cannot be tolerated," they said in a statement.
The officers present at the scene immediately removed the plastic object from the hippo's mouth in accordance with the regulations and procedures of Taman Safari Indonesia.
Taman Safari Park in Indonesia, where the disturbing incident occurred.
A hippo's digestive system is not designed to handle human food, especially plastic waste. Swallowing plastic bags can lead to gastrointestinal blockages, poisoning, and even death. When fed by humans, hippos can become dependent on this food source and lose their natural foraging abilities. This can make it difficult for them to survive in the wild.
Most wildlife reserves have strict regulations prohibiting visitors from feeding animals. Violations of these regulations can result in penalties, such as fines or expulsion from the reserve.
The hippo has been examined and reported to be in good health following the incident. The park stated: "The Science and Life team and the Animal Care team have examined the hippo and found it to be in good condition."
