A heartbreaking video shows the moment beachgoers threw stones at a curious baby seal that approached them in Kazakhstan.
The video, which was filmed in Aktau on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, shows a playful baby seal swimming near the beach.
The curious pup was swimming close to the shore when perpetrators threw stones at it.
A local resident filmed the tourists laughing as they pelted rocks at the baby seal.
Model Yevgeniya Mukasheva shared the distressing video on social media and wrote: “If an animal comes close to you, it means it trusts you.
“How could you throw stones at the defenseless pup and laugh? Have you lost your mind?!”
Authorities commented on the incident and urged people to show respect to animals and the environment.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources, Saken Dildakmet, said: “The way people acted in the video is outrageous and wild.
“Such an attitude can cause a great damage to the fauna of the Caspian Sea and adversely affect the behaviour of these animals who may become aggressive and attack people. We ask you to show respect to nature.”
The environment authorities say seals are curious and playful animals.
“The seal in the clip is young and playful. The seals are mostly very friendly and curious marine mammals. We should admire them,” Mr. Dildakhmet added.
One internet user commented: “It should have been a shark instead, and them falling off their boat – that would have taught them a lesson. Cruelty to any animal should be punished by law.”
Another wrote: “So sad. These are very ignorant people.”
A third added: “I can’t say what I would do to these “people.” They really don’t deserve to draw breath.”
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