A Russian cage fighter is facing a global beating after casually handing her vape to an endangered orangutan during a visit to the Taigan Safari Park in Crimea – and the consequences are far from harmless.
In footage that has quickly gone viral for all the wrong reasons, Russia’s Anastasia Luchkina, 24, is seen taking a dramatic drag on her e-cigarette before handing it through a cage fence – at least three times – to an unsuspecting primate, named Dana.
Known to be extremely friendly and social with visitors, Dana, who’s lived at the Taigan Safari Park in Crimea since 2018, is more than just a zoo attraction – she is part of a critically endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List (Red Book), and the only orangutan of her kind in Crimea.
And now, due to a moment of human recklessness, her life may hang in the balance.
Deadly stunt
In a moment described by viewers as “abuse,” the animal, locked in her cage enclosure, is seen gripping the wires as Luchkina hands her the vape she was earlier smoking.
Dana snags the e-cigarette and immediately mimics Luchkina – grabbing the vape and inhaling deeply.
Luchkina, meanwhile, is laughing and filming while the orangutan leaves a cloud of smoke between her and the fighter, unknowingly participating in what experts now call a dangerous and potentially deadly stunt.
Life-threatening juice
On her last puff, Dana can be seen holding the pink cartridge – that holds toxic vape juice not intended to be ingested – on her bottom lip.
Luchkina attempts to retrieve it, but the playful orangutan taunts the woman, and it disappears in her mouth.
According to Russian outlet zamin.uz, it’s suspected the orangutan may have swallowed the e-cigarette cartridge, which reportedly contained 2.5 to 3 milliliters of potent nicotine liquid. If ingested, this amount could cause severe nicotine poisoning, a life-threatening condition for both humans and animals.
‘Lies covered with a towel’
In addition, the casing is made of plastic, that veterinarian Vasily Piskovoy told a local news outlet that “when exposed to stomach and intestinal acids, begins to release dangerous substances that can poison Dana’s body.”
“The animal lies covered with a towel all day. There is a suspicion of poisoning and the presence of a foreign object in the intestine,” the outlet reports.
And, zamin.uz confirmed that Dana was exhibiting “disturbing behavior” shortly after the incident.
She has allegedly lost her appetite, refuses to interact, and lies motionless for hours at a time.
The sweet animal is currently under urgent veterinary observation, with test results expected in the coming days as experts race to determine the extent of the damage.
Coach caught off guard
Meanwhile, Luchkina’s coach, Vladimir Akatov, appeared blindsided by the incident, telling reporters:
“I didn’t know Anastasia was a smoker “She is currently on vacation. We will definitely discuss this matter when she returns,” Akatov said, per zamin.uz.
But for many online, that’s not enough. Thousands of commenters and animal rights groups are calling for serious consequences, labeling the act “reckless, cruel, and completely unforgivable.”
“She should be arrested and be imprisoned for life for endangering this innocent animal!” writes one person on X.
“Generation of idiots,” shares a second, while a third writes, “It’s the perfect snapshot of Russian influencer culture: abuse, denial, and zero shame.”
Another suggests there’s a larger problem at play: “I mean the big issue is not the girl giving the monkey a vape, but the fact the orangutan is in a f****** cage! People are idiots.”
‘Too many knocks to the head’
Speaking with the Sun, PETA UK vice president Mimi Bekhechi slammed Luchkina for her actions.
“Anastasia Luchkina must have received a few too many knocks to the head if she thinks it’s a lark to give an orangutan a vape. A violation of this intelligent, gentle ape’s welfare,” Bekhechi said, warning people about the park that she claims, “has a shocking track record of negligence.”
“Anyone who cares about protecting animals should support programs to preserve their natural habitats, where they can enjoy natural behaviours, and reject these glorified prisons that objectify sensitive animals for social media laughs,” she added.
A vape, a camera, and one terrible decision have endangered a rare life – and shocked the world.
Please let us how you think Luchkina should be handled for her careless actions, and don’t forget to share this story so we can hear from others!
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