There are stupid things people do for social media attention, and then there’s this.
A 29-year-old man has been fined after a disturbing photograph emerged showing a vape being held to the mouth of a quokka on Western Australia’s Rottnest Island.
The image, believed to have been taken on November 2, sparked widespread outrage after circulating online, prompting police to investigate.
And thankfully, they found the person responsible.
WA Police confirmed investigators had traced the photograph to a 29-year-old man, who was subsequently issued with a $200 infringement notice by the Rottnest Island Authority.
Yes, $200. For interfering with one of Australia’s most treasured native animals, the offender received a penalty that many Australians would consider little more than a slap on the wrist.
The photograph appears to show an electronic cigarette being pressed against the small marsupial’s mouth, although authorities have not established whether the animal actually inhaled any vapour.
Either way, the image is appalling.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook was among those condemning the incident, describing the behaviour as “disgusting” and “unacceptable”.
“I think I share everyone’s sense of disgust about that, and I hope that the people involved are held to account,” he said.
The Premier pointed out that quokkas are an internationally recognised symbol of WA, attracting visitors from around the world thanks to their famously friendly appearance.
“Our quokkas are international drawcards for Western Australia and Rottnest Island because of their warm, welcoming nature,” he said. “Any attempt to put quokkas at risk or harm them should be met with consequences.”
And he’s absolutely right.
Rottnest Island, about 20 kilometres off the coast of Perth, is home to thousands of quokkas, whose seemingly permanent smiles have earned them a reputation as some of the happiest animals on Earth.
Their gentle nature has made them a favourite with tourists and celebrities alike, including tennis superstar Roger Federer and Australian actor Chris Hemsworth.
But their apparent friendliness also makes them vulnerable to people who mistake wild animals for photographic props.
Visitors to Rottnest Island are strictly prohibited from touching or feeding quokkas, and more serious offences involving interference with wildlife can attract penalties of up to $10,000.
The latest incident is particularly disturbing given another recent case in WA, in which two teenagers were charged with animal cruelty following allegations that a black swan was struck and forced to inhale vape fumes near Mandurah.
That matter remains before the courts.
For animal lovers, the incidents raise troubling questions about the lengths some people will go to for attention and whether existing penalties provide enough of a deterrent.
Quokkas aren’t toys. They aren’t social media accessories. And they certainly aren’t there to be subjected to potentially harmful substances for someone’s amusement. They’re wild animals that deserve to be treated with care and respect.
The good news is that police acted and the man responsible for the photograph has been identified and penalised.
The disappointing part? For an act that sparked so much disgust, $200 seems an awfully small price to pay.
