A Russian boxer has sparked anger after she gave her vape to an orangutan at a safari park.
Anastasia Luchkina, a 24-year-old who has represented Russia at international level before turning professional last month, filmed herself giving her e-cigarette to Dana, a 10-year-old female orangutan who lives at Taigan safari park in Crimea.
In the video, Luchkina can be seen puffing on a pink vape and blowing out vapor before holding it to Dana’s lips through one of the holes in the enclosure.
The orangutan puffed on the vape before blowing out a plume of vapor. Luchkina then repeated this on multiple occasions before Dana could be seen swallowing the tip of the vape.
The safari park’s veterinarian, Vasily Piskovoy, has since revealed that Dana has become ill from the vape.
‘While smoking, Dana took the cap off the vape and put it in her mouth,’ Piskovoy said.
‘I’m worried that Dana might swallow the cap, because this plastic can cause intestinal blockage and vomiting.
‘Today, she’s already eating poorly, feeling unwell, and sleeping all day.
‘If there is an intestinal blockage, then all responsibility will fall on the shoulders of this girl. Danochka is like a child. She will put everything in her mouth, and God forbid, she might swallow it.
‘This is very dangerous. It is not so dangerous that she smoked, although this is also very bad, as it is dangerous if she swallowed this cap, then, God forbid, Dana will have to be operated on.’
The safari park’s press secretary, Tatyana Aleksagina, revealed that Dana lives alone in her enclosure.
‘This is clearly intentional cruelty to an animal. She knew exactly what she was doing and definitely harmed the animal. This is a crime,’ Aleksagina said.
‘Moreover, there are only a few orangutans in Russia now. Because of the sanctions, no one can bring them, and they practically do not reproduce in captivity, unlike chimpanzees. Orangutans live alone.
‘Rarely in a zoo, except perhaps in Moscow, is there both a male and a female. We have been looking for a mate for Dana for five years now.’
Luchinka’s coach, Vladimir Akatov, told TASS that she is now facing ‘expulsion’ from the sport over the incident.
‘She doesn’t smoke, and this is such a foolish thing,’ Akatov said.
‘An adult, 24 years old, a member of the national team. It’s clear that we will discuss this episode.’
A statement from the Russian Boxing Federation read: ‘The Russian Boxing Federation is against smoking and calls for careful treatment of animals. This incident will be taken under control of the disciplinary and ethical commission, which will apply sanctions provided for by the code of ethics.
‘By committing such acts, an athlete not only desecrates their own honor, but also undermines the authority of other athletes, the coaching staff and everyone who puts their efforts into the champion’s path every day.
‘Being an athlete is not only about medals and honors, but also about decent behavior in any life situations and being an example to follow.’
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