Russian Boxer Faces Penalties for Orangutan Vape Incident

Russian boxer Anastasia Luchkina caused widespread outrage after filming herself giving her vape to Dana, a 10-year-old endangered orangutan at Taigan Safari Park in Crimea. Video footage shows Luchkina repeatedly offering the e-cigarette to the primate, who subsequently displayed symptoms of illness, such as loss of appetite and lethargy. Park veterinarians and staff condemned the act as intentional animal cruelty, expressing concerns over possible intestinal blockage and the risks posed by nicotine ingestion. Animal welfare groups and the public have called for strict penalties, including fines and a potential ban from the zoo for Luchkina. The incident has drawn attention to the vulnerability and reproductive difficulties of captive orangutans in Russia, where the species is rare. The park continues to conduct veterinary assessments on Dana while enforcing rules that prohibit teasing or endangering animals.