Cover image via @alvinchelliah (Instagram)
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Disclaimer: Footage in this article may be distressing for some. Viewer discretion is advised.
A local marine biologist has spoken out after a disturbing video surfaced showing a puffer fish with an empty plastic bottle intentionally tied to its tail in the waters off Pulau Tioman
The video was shared by Alvin Chelliah, a marine biologist who has worked on the island for 14 years. According to him, the footage was sent to him by someone as a report of the incident.
"This is definitely the most cruel act towards wildlife that I have heard of," Chelliah wrote.
He explained that the puffer fish had allegedly been caught by someone, who then tied an empty bottle to its tail before releasing it back into the sea.
The bottle severely restricted the fish's movement, preventing it from swimming properly or diving to the reef to feed
Chelliah added that the fish would have been unable to free itself from the string, leaving it to slowly starve.
"It would have been better if the lowlife just killed the fish," he said, expressing his anger over the deliberate act.
Chelliah also questioned the cruelty of the act and its moral implications, saying he had never encountered such behaviour during his years living in Tioman.
Following questions from the public, Chelliah clarified in the comments that the person who recorded the video had attempted to help the fish but was unable to reach it in time
"This video was sent to me by someone as a report. The person who took the video did try but was unable," he explained, adding that the footage was recorded from a jetty — not from a boat or the shore.
He further shared that jumping into the water was not an option, as the individual would not have been able to climb back onto the jetty. The nearest shore was about 100m away, and the incident occurred during the monsoon season, making the conditions unsafe.
By the time the incident was reported, it was already too late to save the fish.
The video has since sparked outrage online, with many condemning the act as unnecessary cruelty and calling for greater respect and responsibility when interacting with marine life
