Russian boxer sparks outrage after giving vape to Orangutan in viral video
Anastasia Luchkina, 24, was identified as the woman in the video that shows Dana, the only orangutan in Crimea, inhaling from the vape multiple times. The footage was reportedly filmed at Taigan Safari Park, where Dana has lived since 2018.
The clip, widely circulated on platforms like Instagram and X, shows Dana puffing on the vape while onlookers laugh. Social media users were quick to condemn the act, calling it 'disgusting,' 'deeply unhealthy,' and 'a new low in influencer behaviour.'
Animal rights organisation PETA UK also reacted strongly.
'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,' said Mimi Bekhechi, vice president of PETA UK, adding that it was a violation of the ape's welfare.
Following the incident, the park's veterinarian, Dr Vasily Piskovoy, said Dana's condition had visibly worsened.
'She's barely eating, refusing to interact, and lying down all day. There's concern she may have swallowed part of the nicotine cartridge, which could cause serious intestinal issues,' he said.
Nicotine toxicity is dangerous even in small doses, and the vape reportedly contained 2.5 to 3 ml of nicotine liquid. Veterinarians are monitoring the orangutan and may have to operate if the plastic cap has caused a blockage.
'Danochka is like a child. She puts everything in her mouth. If she swallowed the vape cap, the consequences could be life-threatening,' Dr Piskovoy warned.
Luchkina, who recently turned professional in boxing, is now facing possible penalties, including a fine and a ban from the safari park. Her coach, Vladimir Akatov, told Russian media he was unaware she even smoked.
'She's on vacation. We will discuss the matter once she's back,' he said.
Calls for strict action have flooded social media. While some users demanded she be banned from professional fighting, others called for legal consequences.
'She should be arrested for endangering an innocent animal,' one user posted.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns around influencer culture and the exploitation of animals for social media content, with experts urging stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
India's favourite VJ Mini Mathur turns women's health coach, advocates for menopause awareness
Mini Mathur has always been more than just a vibrant face on Indian television. As one of the country's most popular former video jockeys and reality TV hosts, she has spent three decades of entertaining India. In her 40s, behind her infectious energy, she was undergoing quiet but significant physical, mental and emotional changes that come with perimenopause. Now, she is channeling that lived experience into something transformative for others. Mini Mathur has officially taken on a new role as a certified women's health coach focused on one of the most overlooked yet impactful phases in a woman's life: menopause. Mini Mathur is now a certified health coach and will be sharing her wisdom around menopause management.(Instagram/Mini Mathur) Mini Mathur launches Pausitive, a community for menopause awareness She has recently announced her own Instagram community Pauseitive, to guide women in their 40s and beyond for a smooth transition. The idea for the health advocacy platform began with her own experiences. "My own health journey started when I started feeling symptoms that didn't feel like the old me. I started getting hot flashes, I was sweating at night, I couldn't sleep very well, my joints ached, I had brain fog, I had a little bit of memory loss which you can understand for a television presenter can be very debilitating. Every doctor I went to treated my symptoms and not the root cause. I knew there was a deeper answer lying beneath and that's when I started asking questions," Mini says in a video posted to her Instagram page. When she discovered she was in perimenopause, she wanted to reclaim control of her health. She enrolled in the Integrative Women's Health Institute in the US, a globally respected program, and emerged not only with a certification, but a clear mission: to support other women in navigating midlife with power. And as she says, men don't have to stay away from this conversation. According to the World Health Organization, menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation, resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity without an obvious intervening cause. It is confirmed only after 12 consecutive months of experiencing no periods or amenorrhoea. Menopause typically occurs in women between the age group of 45 and 55 years. But as per reports, in India, the average age at menopause is said to be between 41.9 and 49.42, per the Indian Journal of Medical Research. Still, discussions about this phase in a woman's life are brushed under the carpet mostly because it is linked to a woman's fertility window. Mini Mathur on why she became a certified health coach Mini Mathur's Pauseitive aims to create a safe, inclusive space, especially for Indian women, to talk about the changes they experience before, during and after menopause, without shame or stigma. She says her project is rooted in community and backed by science, given that she has spent over a year immersed in books, courses, retreats, seminars, exams, coaching calls and interviews. 'It was important for me to acquire skills before I guide others… not just be an aggregator of referred information,' she wrote in a previous social media post regarding her latest qualification, which she described as her 'most valuable degree'. 'I didn't want to guide women loosely based on personal experience.. There are enough gyaan gurus on Instagram giving out health advice that can be potentially dangerous to that section of women who are already baffled, vulnerable, foggy and looking for answers and solutions. It needs time, space, knowledge and skill as no womans menopause is the same. Exploiting their transition is unfair and unethical. So, I did what any responsible person who wants to work in health should do- study and certify,' added Mini. Over time, she hopes to do her bit to normalize the conversation around menopause. 'In a country like ours, where we don't even talk openly about periods, menopause is still a big deal," she says. Mini Mathur believes that thriving post-40 requires more than diet plans and multivitamins. "Post-40 requires a lot of different lifestyle changes. It requires you to rethink the way you've been living your life. There are habits that you need to break, there are lifestyle patterns that you need to change," asserts the mother of two. Also read: Mini Mathur on perimenopause: Fight it with your fittest foot forward
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Your Love For Himalayan Pink Salt Over Table Salt Might Be Leading To Iodine Deficiency, Warns Doctor In Viral Video
The pursuit of healthier living has led many of us down various paths, from meticulous diet planning to exploring alternative ingredients. One such trend that has gained significant momentum in the recent years is the shift towards Himalayan pink salt. Touted for its various health benefits, it has become a staple in many health-conscious households. However, beneath its rosy hue and perceived wellness advantages, a doctor's warning has brought to light a potentially alarming consequence: the risk of iodine deficiency, a crucial nutrient for thyroid health and overall well-being. In a video shared on Instagram, Dr Ali Kazemi, MD (gastroenterology and hepatology), talked about the recent increase in the number of iodine deficiency cases in India. He claimed that the use of Himalayan salt over iodised table salt in food is causing this deficiency in people. Dr Kazemi captioned his post, 'From a Gastroenterologist: Did you know iodine deficiency, once nearly eradicated, is re-emerging partly due to the popularity of Himalayan salt and sea salt over iodised table salt.' Highlighting the benefits of iodine rich salt, he added, "Iodine is very important to prevent some thyroid diseases and in pregnancy for fetal brain development. To maintain adequate iodine levels, it's essential to use iodized salt or consume iodine-rich foods such as fish, dairy products, and seaweed." View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Gut Doc (@ According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a large-scale study involving more than 20,666 individuals from diverse countries including China, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, and South Africa, discovered that iodine supplementation had a profound impact on reducing mortality rates associated with iodine deficiency disorders. Benefits of Iodine Rich Salt It is found that iodine rich salt comes handy to decrease the size of the thyroid gland in cases of goitre. Table salt also enhances both physical and mental development in children. It also significantly lowers the risk of experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Expert claims, 10 reps of THESE exercises for 30 minutes a day can help lose up to two sizes
Think blasting through 30 minutes daily of deadlifts, bent‑over rows, reverse lunges, squats, floor presses, hip thrusts, and Russian twists is just for hardcore gym rats? Think again! Fitness experts (like, Gauri Mehta) and solid research show that consistent, full-body resistance training – not just cardio or fad workouts – can help shed fat, shrink your waistline, and even drop two clothing sizes when paired with balanced nutrition and rest. Gauri Mehta, a fitness enthusiast and an influencer, shared her insight through a video of some workouts, and said, "Do these exercises every day for 30 mins in the comfort of your home with right and nutritional eating pattern and there's no way you won't see a difference. It's that simple." She also noted, "please do not perform the exercises if you have back or knee problems - hire a professional coach." This article is a deep dive into exactly how and why these eight reps-packed moves – done in smart, daily circuits – are a fun, effective, and scientifically supported path to transforming your body and well-being. Let's get lifting! Why these 7 exercises are your holy grail for shedding those extra pounds Each move below hits multiple muscles and torches calories efficiently in your 30‑minute window. Perform them in a circuit: 10 reps each, 7 exercises = 70 reps per set. Aim for 3–4 sets with short rests. Deadlifts – Giants of posterior chain power. Engage your hamstrings, glutes, core, and lower back – huge calorie burn per rep. Bent‑over Rows – Build upper‑back strength plus posterior chain support – boost posture and metabolic demand. Reverse Lunges – Fire up quads, glutes, and core with unilateral balance – torches leg fat. Squats – The king of compound lifts. Quads, glutes, core... massive systemic calorie burn. Floor Presses – Bench press alternative to build chest, triceps, and shoulders, improving upper-body strength and metabolism. Hip Thrusts – Glute-focused, activates large muscle groups for metabolic impact and aesthetic lift. Russian Twists – Core rotation moves tighten obliques, activate abdominals—even if spot-reduction isn't real, core strength helps posture and function. Last but not least, wrap it up with plank holds: the full-body isometric exercise that deeply engages core, glutes, shoulders – enhancing stability and calorie use. Combine these into a circuit for maximal efficiency and metabolic impact. Keep the break periods short, so that you can keep the fat-burning intensity high. Why resistance training gets visible results To be aware of the benefits, first, you've got to understand what resistance training really is. Resistance training, also known as strength or weight training, is a form of exercise that uses resistance to build muscular strength, endurance, and size. This resistance can come from various sources, including weights, resistance bands, or even your own body weight. Resistance training isn't about bulky muscles – it's a fat‑loss powerhouse. A 2021 meta‑analysis found regular weightlifting reduced body fat percentage by ~1.5%, visceral fat, and total fat mass – even without dedicated cardio. Another long-term study showed ~20 minutes of daily weight training reduced waist circumference twice as much as aerobic exercise alone. Why? Because lifting boosts lean muscle, which cranks up metabolism (burning more calories at rest) and improves insulin sensitivity – two major keys to melting fat, especially around the middle. Bonus: after a good session, your body keeps burning via EPOC (excess post‑exercise oxygen consumption) – even when you're binge‑watching Netflix. The 'two-size drop' – fact or fitness fluff? As banal as it may sound, the two-size reduction in 4–12 weeks isn't entirely mythical. Waist circumference drops of 2–4 cm (about one to two inches) are common in resistance training studies alone, often amplified by additional diet or moderate cardio. Many clothing size changes reflect hip-to-waist shifts, and body recomposition often tightens clothes faster than the scale shows. If resistance training is paired with moderate caloric deficit, protein intake (~0.8g–1g per lb bodyweight), hydration, fiber, and quality sleep – your insulin sensitivity improves and potential waist-reshaping accelerates. Resistance training also preserves muscle while shedding fat – a win-win for fit, lean physiques. Nutrition and lifestyle: The secret sauce Muscle-building meets fat-burning only with good lifestyle support. Experts emphasize protein to preserve lean mass, hydration for metabolic function, fiber for satiety, and sleep to regulate hunger hormones. Consult with your nutritionist and create a suitable mild-calorie deficit (300–500 kcal/day) that works the best for you. Keep protein ~0.7–1g per pound of bodyweight to support muscle retention as fat melts off. Then, grab a set of dumbbells, commit to 30 minutes a day, and let your strength – and new silhouette – do the talking! New Year, New Workout: Day 1 of 7-day weight loss plan to drop a dress size
