A Tashkent Zoo visitor who threw stones at a lion and porcupines was fined 2.8 million soums.

A visitor to the Tashkent Zoo who threw stones at a lion and porcupines was fined 2.8 million soums.

According to the zoo's press service, the man was identified and brought to administrative responsibility. He was fined 2.8 million soums under Part 1 of Article 111 of the Administrative Code of Uzbekistan, which pertains to cruelty to animals. This violation carries a fine of 7 to 10 basic calculation units (BCU).

The incident occurred on August 13. According to the zoo, one of the visitors began throwing stones at a lion named Alex and the porcupines. Since the porcupine enclosure has no overhead railing, the stones hit the animals directly. The man's child also began to imitate him. After the stones were thrown, the visitor applauded himself.

The zoo reminded that its inhabitants are protected by law and urged witnesses of cruel or inappropriate behavior toward animals to immediately report it to zoo staff by calling +998 71 289 16 01.

Earlier, in July, another incident occurred at the Tashkent Zoo, when a man and a girl sprayed water from their mouths at a pair of white lions, Johnny and Naomi. The visitor reacted aggressively to a passerby's comments. After the zoo released a video of the incident, the man contacted the administration and apologized.