This is the moment a couple wade into the sea and forcibly haul a penguin from the water before placing it on the sand so they can pose for photographs with the visibly distressed animal.
The incident took place on a beach in Monte Hermoso, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, on 24th February 2026.
Footage filmed by a witness shows a man grappling with the penguin in the surf as it flaps frantically and tries to pull away, while a woman standing beside him laughs.
After several seconds of struggling, the man drags the bird out of the water and carries it onto the shore, where he sets it down on the sand in front of onlookers.
The visibly distressed penguin continues beating its wings and attempting to return to the sea as people gather around it. Several tourists are seen taking photographs while the animal remains on the beach.
The video was posted online by a local, who wrote: “Can we talk about ignorant, mean and truly foolish people who take animals out of their natural habitat? Disturbing them and grabbing them in a very bad way!”
The footage quickly spread across social media platforms, including X and Instagram, prompting criticism of the couple’s actions.
The Vicente Di Martino Municipal Museum of Natural Sciences said the penguins that appear along Argentina’s coastline during the summer are migratory species travelling towards Brazil.
The museum stressed that people must not interfere with the animals’ natural behaviour, remove them from the water, feed them or pour water over them.
It also warned that dogs should be kept away, as they can injure the birds or transmit diseases.
In a statement, the institution said: “Ignorance or lack of knowledge can no longer be an excuse to justify these irresponsible actions.”
Specialists added that penguins often come close to shore to rest or to moult, and that direct human contact can cause extreme stress.
Authorities urged the public not to disturb marine wildlife and to notify the relevant bodies in the event of similar sightings. It is unclear if the couple seen in the footage have been identified by the authorities.
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