Russian MMA fighter slammed for making endangered orangutan vape

By Phan Anh July 4, 2025 | 12:58 am PT

Images from a video shared on social media show Russian MMA fighter Anastasia Luchkina vaping at Taigan Safari Park and making an orangutan there do the same.

Russian MMA fighter Anastasia Luchkina is under fire after making an endangered orangutan vape at a Crimea safari park, leaving the animal sick and unresponsive.

The 24-year-old visited Taigan Safari Park, where she was filmed taking a puff from her electronic cigarette before reaching through the enclosure fence to hand it to Dana, the park's only orangutan.

In the video shared on social media on Thursday, Dana is seen placing the vape to its mouth, stepping back, and exhaling smoke. Luchkina then allowed the orangutan to vape multiple times before leaving.

Her actions sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing her of animal abuse and calling for her to be banned from MMA competitions.

"She 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 animal rights group PETA UK, condemning Luchkina's behavior, the New York Post reported.

According to the Daily Mail, Dana has since lost its appetite, refused to interact, and has been "lying motionless all day."

Some reports suggest the orangutan may have swallowed part of the vape's core, which contains around 3 ml of liquid nicotine.

Veterinarians are continuing to monitor Dana's condition. The orangutan belongs to an endangered species listed on the IUCN Red List, raising further concerns over its health and welfare.

Luchkina is expected to face penalties and could be banned from returning to the safari park.