Russian cage fighter, Anastasia Luchkina, is caught in a whirlwind of global criticism after her viral video showed her thoughtlessly offering her e-cigarette to an endangered orangutan in Taigan Safari Park in Crimea. The act was careless and has resulted in far-reaching consequences.
In the now infamous video, the 24-year-old Luchkina is seen puffing her e-cigarette and then passing it through the cage fence to a clueless orangutan named Dana.
Dana, who is known for her friendly and social interaction with visitors, has been at Taigan Safari Park since 2018. Belonging to a critically endangered species on the IUCN Red List (Red Book), she is the only one of her kind in Crimea. Regrettably, her life may now be at stake owing to a single unthinking moment.
Deadly Stunt
The viral video was labeled as “abuse” by viewers. It shows Luchkina handing over the e-cigarette she was smoking to Dana, who was trapped in her cage. The orangutan grabs the vape and inhales deeply, mimicking Luchkina.
Meanwhile, Luchkina is seen laughing and filming the scene, oblivious to the dangerous and possibly fatal stunt she had Dana participate in.
Deathly Juice
Dana can be seen in the footage retaining the pink cartridge – loaded with harmful vape juice not meant for ingestion – on her lower lip during her last puff. Despite Luchkina’s attempt to remove it, the playful orangutan grabs it back and seemingly swallows it.
As reported by Russian outlet zamin.uz, the orangutan is believed to have ingested the e-cigarette cartridge, which allegedly held between 2.5 to 3 milliliters of potent nicotine liquid. Such an amount, if consumed, could lead to severe nicotine poisoning, a dire condition in both humans and animals.
‘Resting Under a Cover’
Furthermore, the cartridge was made of plastic, which can emit toxic substances harmful for Dana’s body when exposed to stomach and intestinal acids, according to local veterinarian Vasily Piskovoy.
“The animal lies under a cover all day. There is suspicion of poisoning and a foreign object presence in the intestine,” the news outlet cited. Dana was confimed to have exhibited “disturbing behavior” soon after the incident.
Her symptoms include loss of appetite, refusal to interact, and staying motionless for extended periods. The unfortunate creature is currently under critical veterinary care, with test findings anticipated in the following days to assess the extent of the harm.
Unaware Coach
Luchkina’s coach, Vladimir Akatov, appeared to be taken aback by the unexpected incident, confessing to reporters that he was unaware Anastasia was a smoker. He promised to address the matter once she returns from vacation.
Nevertheless, it is not enough for many online, who are demanding severe consequences. With thousands of commenters and animal rights organizations labeling the action as “reckless, cruel, and entirely inexcusable,” there is a mounting call for justice.
Some reactions include “She should be locked up for life for putting this innocent animal at risk!” and ““It’s the perfect snapshot of Russian influencer culture: abuse, denial, and zero shame.”
‘Too Many Blows to the Head’
Mimi Bekhechi, PETA UK’s vice president, spoke to the Sun where she denounced Luchkina’s actions. She criticized that Luchkina must have suffered a few hard blows to the head if she considered vaping an orangutan as fun. The vice president was critical of the park that she claims, “has an appalling record of negligence.”
She urged those who care about saving animals to support programs aiming to preserve their natural habitats and reject such glorified prisons that objectify sensitive animals for fleeting social media laughter.
In essence, the thoughtless encounter involving a vape, a camera, and a rare life has outraged the world. Let us know what action should be taken against Luchkina for her heedless behavior, and remember to share this information as a means to spread awareness!
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