An Australian influencer has made a grovelling apology after filming herself feeding a whole chicken to a wild crocodile.
Jaylie Bonow faces a maximum $26,000 (£13,000) fine after throwing the bird to the saltwater crocodile in the Russell River, far north Queensland.
She has now taken down the video and said that she feels like an “idiot” for not knowing that feeding crocodiles is illegal in Australia.
“Have a look at him, he is just feeding on that chook (chicken) and absolutely lovin' it!” she said in the initial video.
Ms Bonow, from Western Australia, received backlash to the initial video beforeposting her apology on Friday.
“Oh my goodness, don’t I feel like an idiot,” she said in her Instagram video explaining what happened.
“Yesterday, I thought it would be a good idea to feed a saltwater crocodile. I bought a hot chook (chicken) and took it down to the creek.
“It is stupid in any case as it is so dangerous to feed saltwater crocs for the obvious reason.
“I also didn’t realise that feeding crocodiles in Australia is illegal. And that is why I want to bring awareness to this subject.
“I have educated myself and now know that feeding them is detrimental as it changes the behaviour of the crocs.”
She had preempted the backlash by stating in her initial video that she had thrown the chicken from a distance.
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation confirmed, on Friday, that they were investigating.
A statement given to the Mail said: “Deliberately feeding crocodiles can pose a huge risk to other visitors and increase the chances of an attack.
“That is why penalties were recently increased for unlawful behaviour that places lives at risk... [and] behaviour that portrays, promotes or encourages people to feed them is totally irresponsible.”
It has not yet been reported how much, if anything, she will be fined.
She previously said of her trip to Queensland: “This trip has been full of new experiences, learning and pushing myself out of [my] comfort zone. Exactly what I needed!”
