Good! Scuba Diver Arrested After Posting a Video Riding on the Back on an Endangered Whale Shark

A group of scuba divers in Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia has caused a frenzy online after publishing a video of themselves riding an endangered whale shark. The footage, filmed by the divers as one of them decided to mount the precious marine animal, showed an appalling lack of respect for wildlife and staggering recklessness. Fortunately, backlash has led to the man being arrested for the display.

The video shows the diver lying on the whale’s back and grabbing the sides of the animal’s head, while two of the man’s colleagues hold onto the whale’s sides, the Daily Mail reports. The footage was quickly met with outrage at what had been done to the marine creature. After a complaint from alarmed environmentalists, the authorities identified the group of divers. The man seen riding the whale was arrested and found to be a local businessman.

Whale sharks are endangered marine animals protected in Indonesia. They are the largest of all sharks and can be as long as 20 meters. Marine laws in the country clearly prevent divers from touching the animals to avoid them being hurt, which can happen easily. Divers are also meant to keep a distance of at least three feet from them – a rule which was obviously severely violated by the group.

“Whale sharks are animals whose existence is protected by the Regulation of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries,” said Dwi Aryo Tjiptohandono, Campaign Coordinator WWF Indonesia. “If a whale shark is injured, then it can lead to death. Because it only eats small fish like anchovies, so many think this whale shark is tame. Even though in essence he is a wild animal, although in general, it is not harmful to humans.”

“It’s too stupid, claiming to be a diver but acting ridiculous. It’s a shame,” said environmental activist Rachmad Saleh who shared that the perpetrators will now be faced with sanctions if they enter the conservation area. Their license may also be revoked – which would be an apt response to a behavior so devoid of respect for the marine environment.

It is of the utmost importance that we recognize wild animals do NOT exist for the purpose of our entertainment, and certainly not for the sake of social media videos or selfies. As experts have highlighted, taking it upon yourself to interact with a wild animal can be dangerous for both you and the animal and lead to many (sometimes fatal) unintended consequences. We are glad to see authorities took proper measures to demonstrate that this is not a joke and this sort of behavior will not be tolerated.

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