Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (Photo: Reuters).
According to the Guardian , former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was accused of harassing a humpback whale in the waters near Sao Sebastiao, on the southeastern coast of Brazil in June this year.
At that time, Mr. Bolsonaro drove a jet ski, using his phone to take photos and videos of the whale at a distance of about 15 meters. Despite the whale's discomfort and fear, Mr. Bolsonaro continued to approach and record.
Brazilian law prohibits the deliberate harassment of any animal such as a dolphin or humpback whale. Regulations also state that motorized vessels cannot come within 100 meters of such animals.
Ibama, the environmental agency that enforces these rules, also prohibits chasing or invading a pod of dolphins or whales and disturbing them with excessive music or noise. Penalties for this range from two to five years in prison.
Mr Bolsonaro has rejected the accusations and criticism, saying they are part of an effort by politicians and environmental activists to target him.
Mr. Bolsonaro was President of Brazil from 2019 to 2022. He has been facing many legal troubles including accusations of plotting a coup and falsifying Covid-19 vaccination records.
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