Kenyan authorities and conservationists are investigating after a video of a Spanish tourist pouring beer down an elephant’s trunk at a wildlife conservancy went viral, sparking outrage on social media and renewed scrutiny of visitor behavior in the country’s national parks.
The man, who posts online under the name “Skydive_Kenya,” was filmed drinking from a can of Tusker, a popular local beer, before pouring the remainder into the trunk of a well-known bull elephant. “Just a tusker with a tusked friend,” he captioned the now-deleted Instagram video.
The footage, verified by the BBC, was filmed at Ol Jogi Conservancy in Laikipia County, central Kenya. The elephant in question was identified as Bupa, a long-tusked male rescued from a Zimbabwe cull in 1989 and relocated to Ol Jogi. Staff at the conservancy condemned the act, describing it as a violation of conservation ethics.
“This should never have happened. We’re a conservation and we can’t allow that to happen,” said a staff member identified as Frank. “We don’t even allow people to go near the elephants.”
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed it is also investigating. Conservationists warn such encounters give the public a dangerous impression that wild elephants can be approached or fed safely. “About 95% of elephants in Kenya are wild and it is wrong to have social media posts that give the impression you can get close to the elephants,” said Dr. Winnie Kiiru, a Kenyan biologist and elephant conservationist.
In another video posted by the tourist, he is seen feeding elephants carrots and later offering the same to a rhino at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Officials at Ol Pejeta said his actions also broke their rules. “He was not supposed to touch the rhinos because they are not pets,” Dylan Habil, a staff member, said.
The videos drew hundreds of angry comments online, with many Kenyans calling for the tourist’s deportation. Critics said the incident reflects growing concerns over inappropriate tourist behavior at Kenya’s wildlife destinations.
The controversy comes just days after a separate viral video showed tourists crowding the Maasai Mara during the annual wildebeest migration, blocking animals at the river crossing and forcing them into crocodile-infested waters. That footage triggered public outrage and prompted the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to announce stricter enforcement of park rules. Visitors are now required to remain inside vehicles except in designated areas, with officials pledging better signage and increased education on conservation guidelines.
Kenya’s wildlife sector, a major driver of tourism, has faced repeated challenges balancing visitor access with conservation. The Maasai Mara migration and elephant conservancies such as Ol Jogi remain central to the country’s tourism appeal, but officials warn that reckless behavior risks endangering both animals and visitors.