Russian pugilist Anastasia Luchkina is in the dock after a viral video emerged of her handing a vape to an endangered orangutan named Dana at Crimean Taigan Safari Park. The video, which has sparked outrage on the internet, shows the orangutan seemingly taking several drags from the device. According to New York Post, Dana has been housed at the safari park since 2018 and is said to be the only orangutan in the area.
In the video, the 24-year-old fighter is initially observed vaping herself before passing the vape across a metal fence to the orangutan in the enclosure.
The ape puffs a few times, producing a visible cloud of vapour. Luchkina is later observed repeatedly sharing the vape with Dana, triggering a wave of online outrage and alarm at the animal’s wellbeing.
Watch:
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
Social media users were swift to criticize her actions, calling them irresponsible and unsafe. One of them posted, “Just disgusting behavior and she should not be permitted to fight again.” Another one said, “She should be arrested and jailed for life for putting this innocent animal in harm’s way.”
Talking to SunSport, PETA UK vice president Mimi Bekhechi commented: “Anastasia Luchkina must have taken a few too many blows on the head if she believes it’s a lark to provide an orangutan with a vape…a disregard for this smart, kind ape’s welfare.”
