World · East Asia & Pacific · 11 hrs ago
Man fined $200 over photo appearing to show quokka with vape
A photo appeared to show a quokka with a vape in its mouth on Rottnest Island, off the coast of Perth, Western Australia.
The image spread on social media and drew outrage because the island’s quokkas are protected from interference.
Police traced the image to a 29-year-old man and issued him a $200 infringement, according to one account; another said police inquiries were still ongoing.
The fine is far below the maximum $10,000 penalty visitors can face if convicted of interfering with wildlife on the island.
Quokkas are a major part of Rottnest Island’s tourism appeal, including through popular photo opportunities with visitors.
The picture raised concern about how visitors treat protected wildlife, though it is unclear whether the quokka inhaled fumes or was chewing the device.
The available accounts do not say whether further action is planned.
Police fined a 29-year-old man $200 over a photo appearing to show a quokka with a vape on Rottnest Island, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The image circulated on social media and drew outrage.
Police said they believed the image was taken on November 2.
The reported fine is far below the maximum $10,000 penalty for interfering with wildlife on the island.
A Daily Mail report said police inquiries were ongoing, while the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the man had been fined.
- Who
- A 29-year-old man was fined, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
- What
- Police issued him a Rottnest Island Authority infringement over a photo appearing to show a quokka with a vape.
- When
- The image was believed to have been taken on November 2, 2026. Reports about the investigation and fine were published on November 9.
- Where
- Rottnest Island, Western Australia.
- Why
- The image appeared to show interference with a quokka, a protected local animal.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Police believed the photo was taken on this date.
The image began circulating on social media.
Reports said police had fined a 29-year-old man $200, while the Daily Mail reported that inquiries were ongoing.
- Fine
- $200, according to the Sydney Morning Herald
- Maximum penalty
- $10,000 for interfering with wildlife on Rottnest Island
- Man
- 29 years old
- Location
- Rottnest Island, Western Australia
- Image date
- Believed to be November 2, 2026
2 sources
What people are saying
completely disgusted
I think I share everyone’s sense of disgust about that, and I hope that the people involved are held to account, and I know that the police are making inquiries, just as they did on the young people who tried to poison a black swan
Investigators tracked the image to a 29-year-old man, who was subsequently issued with a Rottnest Island Authority Infringement by police