Man Fined $600 After Trying to ‘Body Slam’ an Orca

A New Zealand man was filmed jumping off a boat in what appears to be an attempt to “body slam” an orca. The incident, described as “shocking” and “idiotic” by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC), has sparked widespread condemnation.

The video, shared on Instagram in February, shows the man leaping from a boat into the sea off the coast of Devonport in Auckland. He lands perilously close to a male orca and its nearby calf, while individuals on the boat laugh and swear in the background. After resurfacing, the man shouts, “I touched it,” and asks if his actions were captured on camera, before attempting to touch the orca again. Hayden Loper, a principal investigator at the DOC, criticized the man’s actions as a blatant disregard for safety and wildlife protection laws.

Following a tip-off from concerned social media users, the DOC, in collaboration with the police, identified the 50-year-old man and issued him a $600 infringement fine. Loper emphasized that this act was a clear violation of the Marine Mammals Protection Act, which makes it illegal to swim with, disturb, or harass any marine mammal. Orcas, classified as whales under Conservation legislation, are particularly vulnerable.

Loper noted that while some breaches of the act are accidental, such as getting too close to marine mammals with a jet ski, this incident was a “real blatant example of stupidity.” He expressed disbelief at the man’s deliberate actions, seemingly motivated by the desire for social media attention. Loper also condemned those on the boat for encouraging the reckless behavior, likening it to a “pack mentality.”

New Zealand’s orca population, numbering only 150-200 individuals, is classified as “nationally critical” and faces a high risk of extinction. Despite the orca seemingly escaping injury, Hannah Hendriks, the DOC’s marine technical adviser, highlighted the potential dangers of such interactions. Jumping into the water near marine mammals can damage their sensitive fins, startle them, and lead to collisions with boat propellers or keels.

Hendriks warned that human interference disrupts the natural behaviors of marine mammals, such as resting, feeding, and socializing, which can have severe long-term impacts on their survival and breeding success. Particularly concerning is the disturbance of pods with calves, which risks separating the young from their mothers, potentially leading to starvation and death.

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