Tourist pours beer Into elephant’s trunk and others block animals on migratory routes in Kenya
Wildlife conservationists in Kenya are reeling after a video surfaced of a Spanish tourist pouring beer into the trunk of an elephant at the Ol Jogi Conservancy in Laikipia County.
The clip, which has since been deleted, drew widespread condemnation online and reignited concerns about irresponsible tourist behaviour in Africa’s protected reserves.
The man, who posts under the social media handle “Skydive\_Kenya”, was filmed drinking Tusker beer before tipping the remainder into the elephant’s trunk. “Just a tusker with a tusked friend,” he captioned the video, seemingly oblivious to the outrage it would cause.
Conservation staff at Ol Jogi were shocked by the stunt. A spokesperson said: “This should never have happened. We’re a conservation space and we cannot allow this. We don’t even permit visitors to go near the elephants.”
The incident is now under review by relevant Kenyan authorities
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The elephant in question is believed to be “Bupa”, a well-known male with distinctive tusks who has lived at the conservancy since 1989 after being rescued from a mass cull in Zimbabwe.
Bupa, who is often described as gentle and approachable, has become something of an ambassador for the reserve, which is home to around 500 elephants.
The incident has sparked calls for tighter enforcement of safari rules and stricter penalties for tourists who endanger wildlife.
Many online critics called for the man’s deportation, while others highlighted the need for greater respect for animals in conservation areas.
Adding to the controversy, the same tourist posted other clips of himself feeding elephants carrots and joking “We are on beer time.” He was also filmed feeding a rhino at the nearby Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Wildebeests blocked by tourists migrating in Maasai Mara
The uproar follows another troubling incident just a week earlier at the Maasai Mara, where tourists were caught on video blocking wildebeests during the Great Migration, forcing them into dangerous, crocodile-infested waters.
According to the social media post, the person who filmed the video claimed that a park ranger had supervised the entire incident and then demanded $20 in order to allow filming to take place
The Maasai Mara migration, often dubbed the “eighth wonder of the world,” attracts thousands of visitors each year and is considered one of Kenya’s most treasured wildlife spectacles.
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