A shocking video has revealed the moment a fame-hungry TikTok user slapped a critically endangered seal, in a desperate attempt for fame.
Eric Mustevoy was in West Oahu, Hawaii, when he decided to slap the monk seal - one of the most endangered species in the world.
In the video, Mr Mustevoy can be seen approaching the seal from behind, leaning over it, and slapping it on its bum before running away.
Now, Mr Mustevoy is being investigating for the stunt, which is considered a Class C felony in Hawaii.
Jason Redulla, chief of the state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement said: “We encourage people to report violations immediately. Far too often we learn about these cases after they’ve been posted to social media, which compounds the difficulty of gathering evidence and witness statements in real time.”
Mr Mustevoy has now apologised for the stunt, and claims that he is not the man in the video.
He said: “First and foremost, I would like to make it known that it was not me in the video however, I should not have even for a split second, thought it was okay to post something so disrespectful.
“Because of this situation I have learned the importance of doing my research on one’s cultures before traveling to their beautiful place of home.
“I understand this has been a problem before with tourists and I should be acknowledging the fact instead of contributing to the problem.
“I am genuinely sorry for the hurt I have caused and the disrespect I have shown.”
The news comes shortly after an Instagram prank went viral, in which two men pretended to 'spill' coronavirus on the New York subway.
David Flores and Morris Cordewell, from New York, shocked passengers on a New York City subway, after pretending to ‘spill’ the virus on the floor.
The pranksters got on the train wearing hazmat suits, and holding a clear container with a red liquid inside it.
They then proceeded to spill the liquid across the train floor, telling passengers it was coronavirus.
While the liquid was really Kool-Aid, the stunt terrified many passengers, who jumped on train seats in a desperate attempt to avoid the spillage.
