A video circulating on social media has sparked outrage after capturing tourists throwing a plastic bag into the mouth of a hippopotamus at Taman Safari in Indonesia. The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter), shows tourists in a car offering a carrot to the hippo. As the animal opens its mouth, one of the tourists throws a plastic bag into it before dropping the carrot into the water. The hippo can be seen chewing on the plastic in the video.
Many social media users have expressed their disgust and called for the tourists to be arrested, citing the potential danger to the hippo’s health. One user stated, “I hope they were caught and arrested!! That could kill the hippo!!” Another commented, “Those people should be banned from every safari park and not allowed near any animals.”
However, a number of users have argued that the object thrown at the hippo is actually cotton candy, claiming it was encouraged by the park. While acknowledging the potential harm of cotton candy to animals, some believe it is less harmful than plastic.
Despite the debate, the video has ignited a discussion about the importance of wildlife conservation and the responsibility of tourists to respect and protect animals. Many emphasized the need for education regarding the potential consequences of such actions, while others condemned the tourists’ behavior as reckless and disrespectful.
The incident highlights the dangers of irresponsible behavior within wildlife sanctuaries and serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible tourism practices.
