It was an expensive honeymoon for a couple who were on vacation in Hawaii for some sun and romance.
When they encountered a creature on the beach, they went closer to touch it.
But it ultimately led to them having to pay a fine of 430,000 Swedish Krona for what they did, writes Nzherald.
When you’re on vacation, it’s natural to want to explore things in the area.
The culture, the people, the food, basically everything that comes with tourism.
But when you’re on unfamiliar ground, unexpected things can happen too.
A couple who were recently on their honeymoon in Hawaii have garnered a lot of attention lately.
A video on the popular app TikTok has now gone viral and been seen by millions of people.
In the clip, we see a woman approaching the animal, calmly resting on the beach. But it’s not just any animal.
Apologies for the incident
It’s an endangered Hawaiian monk seal that is being touched by a woman.
The couple, on their honeymoon in Hawaii, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that they were very sorry about the incident.
“We love Hawaii and the culture. It was not meant to be offensive or disrespectful.”
However, the slight touch is completely illegal by law.
Risking imprisonment
It’s a crime to touch or disturb a Hawaiian monk seal.
The penalties are harsh.
If you don’t adhere to the law, you could be forced to pay a fine, like this couple did, or even end up in prison for up to five years.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contacted the couple over the weekend and fined them after the incident.
It’s important to be cautious when in a foreign land and show respect for all living creatures!
