‘Shocking contempt’: Man filmed smacking orca faces $600 fine

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A man’s actions have sparked outrage around the world after a resurfaced video shows him punching an orca.

The 50-year-old Auckland man is seen jumping from a pleasure boat into Devonport waters, appearing to land on an adult male orca with her calf nearby.

According to New Zealand’s Ministry of Conservation, the incident happened in February, but the video surfaced after a member of the public alerted local authorities if people were getting too close to the mammals.

The man was heard saying “I touched it” in the video, while other boaters laughed at the incident, followed by the man asking the woman filming the video: “Did you understood?

The man has since been fined $600 for the violation.

“The video truly stunned us,” said a senior DOC investigator. “In addition to the first attempt to dive on the animal, the man remains in the water and then swims towards it again for a second attempt to touch it. This is stupid behavior that demonstrates shocking disregard for the well-being of the orcas. This is extremely irresponsible.

The DOC said orcas are classified as whales under conservation legislation under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It is illegal to swim with, disturb or harass orcas.

As an apex predator, these whales have attacked humans and even sunk small boats they perceive as threats, off the coast of Spain, according to the DOC.