Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, is under investigation, this time for an unusual environmental offense—alleged harassment of a humpback whale during a jetski excursion on vacation.
The incident reportedly took place off Brazil’s south-eastern coastline near São Sebastião in June and has sparked federal police interest.
Bolsonaro, infamous for his anti-environmental policies during his four-year presidency, earned the moniker “Captain Chainsaw” due to his role in the escalating destruction of the Amazon.
This latest accusation suggests a potential violation of Brazilian legislation that prohibits the deliberate harassment of cetaceans, including humpback whales.
Reports indicate that a man resembling Bolsonaro was filmed approximately 15 meters from a surfaced humpback whale, allegedly capturing the distressed behavior of the marine mammal on a mobile phone.
Brazilian laws enforced by the environmental agency Ibama dictate that vessels must maintain a distance of at least 100 meters from such animals, and seafarers are prohibited from chasing or disturbing dolphins or whales.
Interestingly, another right-wing politician recently faced a fine of 2,500 reais for a similar offense in the same region. Bolsonaro himself has a history of environmental infractions, having been fined over a decade ago for illegal fishing within a marine reserve off the Rio de Janeiro coastline.
Since losing the presidency, Bolsonaro has become the subject of numerous investigations into alleged crimes, ranging from plotting a coup against his successor to misappropriating expensive jewels and faking Covid vaccination records. With a ban on seeking election until 2030, some speculate that Bolsonaro may face imprisonment.
In response to the humpback whale inquiry, Bolsonaro dismissed the allegations as political persecution, a sentiment he has echoed in response to other investigations. Addressing supporters, he downplayed the situation, making a disparaging remark about Brazil’s justice minister, Flávio Dino, whom he likened to a whale.
Supporters of Bolsonaro took to social media to mock the aquatic allegations, with some suggesting humorously that the humpback whale must have been a fan of the former president, stopping him for a selfie.
As the investigation unfolds, Bolsonaro’s environmental conduct continues to be a source of controversy, adding another layer to the complex legal challenges he faces in the post-presidential era.
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This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 21 November 2023. Image Credit :Earth theater/Shutterstock.
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