A young Russian boxer is facing widespread backlash and possible penalties after a disturbing video emerged of her sharing a vape pen with a captive orangutan at a safari park in Crimea. The animal, now reportedly displaying worrying signs of illness and distress, has become the focus of online outrage and calls for accountability.
The 24-year-old athlete, Anastasia Luchkina, was filmed during a visit to Taigan Safari Park, where she was seen offering a puff of her vape pen to Dana, the only orangutan in the region. The act, caught on video and shared widely on social media, has not only drawn criticism from animal welfare advocates but also sparked concerns from veterinary professionals monitoring the primate’s health.
Orangutan Inhales from Vape, Shows Signs of Distress After Incident
In the footage, Luchkina is seen inhaling from her vape pen before pressing it into Dana’s face through the glass of the enclosure. The orangutan, seemingly mimicking the human behaviour, places her lips on the device and takes a puff. When she reaches to take more, the boxer attempts to pull the vape away, sparking a brief struggle.
What might have seemed like a joke at first has since escalated into a serious welfare issue. Park veterinarians report that Dana has become lethargic, stopped eating, and is no longer engaging with her surroundings. “She remains still for long periods and won’t interact with staff or visitors,” said the park’s vet.
There are fears that Dana may have swallowed part of the vape pen, specifically the plastic cap, which could cause intestinal blockage or vomiting. “If the cap was swallowed, surgery might be necessary to remove it,” the vet warned.
Public Outrage & Possible Legal Consequences for the Boxer
The video has triggered an uproar online, with many netizens condemning Luchkina’s actions as “inhumane”, “cruel”, and “disgusting”. Social media users demanded jail time, a lifetime ban from zoos or safaris, and even questioned the authorities for not intervening sooner.
“She should be prosecuted for animal abuse,” one commenter wrote. Another said, “This isn’t funny—it’s toxic, both literally and morally.”
Still, a minority of voices deflected blame toward the safari park itself, questioning why a wild animal like Dana was kept in captivity in the first place. One contrarian commenter quipped, “If humans can vape, why not her? She didn’t ask to be caged.”
Meanwhile, Luchkina’s coach expressed surprise at the scandal, stating, “I didn’t even know she was a smoker. She’s currently on holiday—we’ll definitely speak about this once she’s back.”
Safari Park Investigates as Boxer Faces Fines & Potential Ban
Authorities at Taigan Safari Park have since launched an investigation into the incident, confirming that Luchkina may face fines and a permanent ban from the facility. The park has also reiterated its commitment to animal welfare and assured the public that Dana is under close observation.
The incident raises broader concerns about the treatment of captive animals, visitor conduct at wildlife parks, and the responsibilities of influencers and public figures when interacting with animals.
As Dana continues to recover, the case serves as a grim reminder that actions taken for a laugh—or a social media post—can have lasting consequences for defenceless animals.
Stay tuned as the story develops.