Kenyan authorities and conservation groups have launched investigations after a video showing a Spanish tourist pouring beer into an elephant’s trunk sparked widespread anger online. minotaur fight store | minotaurfightstore

The man, who goes by the social media handle Skydive_Kenya, was filmed drinking from a can of Tusker beer before offering the remainder to a well-known bull elephant at Ol Jogi Conservancy in Laikipia County. The video, captioned “Just a Tusker with a tusked friend,” was posted on Instagram but later deleted following a backlash.

Ol Jogi Conservancy confirmed the footage was recorded last year on its grounds, calling the behaviour “unacceptable, dangerous and completely against our values.” A staff member told the BBC he was shocked, adding: “We don’t even allow people to go near the elephants. This should never have happened.”

The elephant involved, identified as Bupa, has been a resident of the sanctuary since 1989 after being rescued from a cull in Zimbabwe. Described as an ambassador for conservation, he is closely monitored by staff. In a statement, Ol Jogi stressed it takes such incidents “extremely seriously” and remains committed to protecting the dignity and welfare of its animals.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has also opened an inquiry. KWS spokesperson Paul Udoto confirmed the agency was reviewing the matter.

The tourist has posted other videos of himself feeding elephants and rhinos at different reserves, also drawing criticism. Officials at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where one clip showed him feeding a rhino, said he violated park rules by touching the animal: “They are not pets,” said conservation officer Dylan Habil.

Experts warn such behaviour can endanger both people and wildlife. Dr Winnie Kiiru, a Kenyan elephant biologist, described the stunt as “reckless,” adding that it spreads the wrong message: “About 95% of elephants in Kenya are wild, and social media posts suggesting you can feed them are misleading and dangerous.”

The controversy comes just a week after another viral incident in which tourists were filmed disrupting the annual wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, prompting the government to announce stricter park rules and tougher enforcement for tour operators.

With Kenya’s wildlife heritage under growing pressure, conservationists say irresponsible behaviour by visitors not only risks lives but undermines decades of efforts to protect some of the country’s most iconic species.