Controversy Erupts as Tourist Feeds Beer to Elephant in Kenya

Fri Oct 17 2025 11:01:05 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A Spanish tourist's social media post depicting him pouring beer down an elephant's trunk has caused outrage in Kenya, prompting investigations from wildlife authorities.

A Spanish tourist's videos showing him giving beer to an elephant in Kenya led to significant backlash and prompted investigations by local wildlife agencies. Content shared on Instagram displayed the individual in a wildlife conservancy, drinking a popular local beer, and later pouring it into the elephant's trunk. The videos, which drew hundreds of critical comments and calls for the tourist's deportation, have since been removed. Authorities, including the Kenya Wildlife Service, are looking into the incident, highlighting concerns over animal safety and tourism conduct in the region.

Several investigations have been launched after a Spanish man in Kenya posted videos of himself pouring beer down an elephant's trunk, sparking anger on social media.

He was filmed in a wildlife reservation drinking from a can of Tusker, a popular local beer, before giving the rest of it to the elephant.

Just a tusker with a tusked friend, he captioned one clip posted on Instagram, which was later deleted after a backlash from Kenyans in the comments.

The BBC analysed the footage and authenticated its origins, indicating it was filmed at the Ol Jogi Conservancy in Laikipia County.

A staff member from the privately owned wildlife sanctuary expressed shock at the behavior, stating, This should never have happened. We're a conservation and we can't allow that to happen. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is also investigating the incident, as the man involved does not use his real name on social media.

In another Instagram clip, he is seen feeding elephants carrots while stating, We are on beer time. The videos attracted numerous critical comments, with some calling for his deportation before being pulled down.

The elephant featured in the beer incident is believed to be Bupa, known for his distinctive appearance and friendly nature toward visitors, having been rescued from a mass culling in Zimbabwe.

Dr. Winnie Kiiru, a Kenyan biologist, criticized the bout of behavior, emphasizing its dangers to both the tourist and the elephant. This incident follows another recent controversy where tourists were filmed blocking migrating wildlife in Maasai Mara, prompting the Ministry of Tourism to announce stricter regulations to protect animals and enhance visitor safety.