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Russian boxer under fire for giving vape to orangutan at Crimean safari park; ape takes a few puffs, now unwell

According to Zamin.uz, the incident has taken a toll on the orangutan –– she’s reportedly lethargic, avoiding human contact, and refusing to eat.

An investigation is underway to understand how this incident was allowed to happen

Russian boxer Anastasia Luchkina is under fire after a video surfaced showing her handing a vape to a caged orangutan at a safari park in Crimea. The footage, which has since gone viral, shows the athlete taking a puff before passing the vape through the fence to the orangutan named Dana. The animal appears to inhale the vapor several times and exhales a visible cloud, sparking widespread backlash over concerns for its health and well-being.

Dana, believed to be the only orangutan in Crimea, has been living at Taigan Safari Park since 2018. According to Zamin.uz, the incident has taken a toll on her –– she’s reportedly lethargic, avoiding human contact, and refusing to eat. There’s growing fear she may have ingested the vape’s nicotine cartridge, which contains between 2.5 and 3 ml of liquid nicotine. Veterinarians are currently running tests to assess the extent of the damage.

Since orangutans are listed in Russia’s “Red Book” of endangered species, the matter is being taken seriously by zoo authorities. An investigation is underway to understand how this incident was allowed to happen. Luchkina could now face legal consequences, including a fine and a possible ban from the park.

Watch the video, shared by X user Collin Rugg, here:

Russian boxer Anastasia Luchkina lets an endangered orangutan take a hit from her vape pen.

The 24-year-old boxer is under fire after having the orangutan use her e-cigarette in Crimea.

According to local outlets, the orangutan displayed “disturbing” behavior after consuming… pic.twitter.com/oRjhq59XLa

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 2, 2025

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Her coach, Vladimir Akatov, expressed surprise at the controversy, telling reporters: “I didn’t know Anastasia was a smoker. She is currently on holiday. We will definitely discuss this matter when she returns.”

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Netizens, however, did not hold back. Outrage has poured in across social media platforms, with users calling her behaviour “disgusting,” “dangerous,” and “irresponsible”. One person wrote, “What kind of person thinks it’s okay to do this kind of stuff?” while another wrote, “Has there been any action yet, or are they waiting for the orangutan to file an official complaint against Anastasia Luchkina?”

PETA UK’s vice president Mimi Bekhechi didn’t mince words while talking to SunSport: “Anastasia Luchkina must have received a few too many knocks to the head if she thinks it’s a lark to give an orangutan a vape… a violation of this intelligent, gentle ape’s welfare.”