A Spanish tourist has come under investigation in Kenya after a disturbing video surfaced showing him allegedly pouring beer into the trunk of an elephant at a wildlife sanctuary. The clip, which has since been deleted from Instagram, has drawn sharp criticism online and triggered calls for strong action against the man.
The Viral Clip
The video shows the tourist, who goes by the handle @skydive_kenya on Instagram, drinking from a can of Tusker, one of Kenya’s most popular beers. After taking a sip, he tilts the can and pours the remaining contents into the trunk of an elephant named Bupa, a long-time resident of the Ol Jogi Conservancy in Laikipia County, central Kenya.
The man captioned the video: “Just a tusker with a tusked friend.” While intended as a play on words, the act quickly drew backlash from Kenyans and wildlife enthusiasts after screenshots resurfaced online this year.
Conservation Authorities React
According to a BBC report, the incident actually occurred last year but only came to light recently after social media users condemned the video.
Speaking to the media, a staff member from Ol Jogi Conservancy expressed shock over the act. “This should never have happened. We’re a conservation and we can’t allow that to happen. We don’t even allow people to go near the elephants,” the staffer said.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has since launched a probe to identify the tourist, whose real name remains unknown as he does not use it on his social media accounts. KWS spokesperson Paul Udoto confirmed that an official inquiry is underway and assured that such behavior will not be tolerated.
The Elephant’s Welfare
In response to growing concerns, the Ol Jogi Conservancy released a statement on Facebook last month acknowledging the incident. The post confirmed that the elephant in the video, Bupa, remains in good health and continues to live safely within the sanctuary.
“Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy is aware of a video resurfacing showing an individual feeding beer to one of our habituated elephants. Bupa, the elephant shown in the video, has lived at Ol Jogi for many years,” the statement read.
The conservancy further emphasized its commitment to animal welfare, saying: “We take matters like this extremely seriously and remain committed to ensuring the well-being and dignity of the animals in our care.”
The video has caused outrage across social media platforms, with many users demanding immediate punishment for the tourist. Some called for his deportation and a lifelong ban from visiting wildlife reserves, while others expressed anger over the lack of respect shown towards the elephant.
“He should be fined and deported. End of holiday. And named,” one user commented. Another wrote: “Ban this dude from all wildlife venues for life.”
A third commenter stressed the moral responsibility humans hold towards wildlife: “Every animal on this planet deserves to feel safe and respected! This is absolutely disturbing, shameful, horrifying, and unacceptable.”
Why the Act is Dangerous(Pouring Beer Into Elephant’s Trunk)
Experts say that feeding animals alcohol, intentionally or otherwise, can cause serious harm. Elephants, in particular, have sensitive digestive systems, and exposing them to substances like beer could lead to illness or unpredictable behavior.
Moreover, such acts undermine conservation efforts, as they not only compromise the health of the animals but also create an unsafe precedent where tourists assume that close and harmful interactions are acceptable. Sanctuaries like Ol Jogi, which pride themselves on protecting endangered species, strictly prohibit visitors from approaching or feeding elephants.
Wider Conservation Context
Kenya is home to nearly 36,000 elephants, a species classified as endangered due to poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. Wildlife sanctuaries such as Ol Jogi play a vital role in protecting and rehabilitating these animals.
By tampering with animals or treating them as entertainment props, conservationists warn, visitors undermine decades of hard work invested in protecting endangered species. Such incidents also highlight the need for stricter visitor monitoring and awareness campaigns to ensure that tourists understand the rules and respect wildlife boundaries.
As the investigation continues, conservation authorities are expected to tighten regulations around wildlife interactions. While the tourist in question has not yet been publicly identified, the mounting pressure from Kenyan citizens and global conservation advocates suggests that accountability will be demanded.
For Ol Jogi Conservancy, the incident is a reminder of the delicate balance between promoting eco-tourism and safeguarding the dignity of the animals in their care. With global attention now fixed on Bupa’s story, the sanctuary has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for any form of misconduct against wildlife.
What was intended as a lighthearted social media stunt has instead sparked international condemnation and cast a spotlight on irresponsible tourism. The case of the Spanish tourist allegedly feeding beer to Bupa the elephant is more than just a viral outrage—it is a warning about the dangers of disrespecting wildlife and the urgent need for stronger protections.
Kenya’s elephants, treasured symbols of its natural heritage, deserve dignity and care. As authorities investigate, conservationists hope the incident will serve as a turning point in enforcing stricter accountability for tourists and safeguarding the majestic giants of Africa’s savannahs.
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