Rottnest Island Quokka selfies may encourage ‘animal cruelty’

  • Instagram warned tourists about taking quokka selfies in Western Australia
  • Social media users who click on the #quokkaselfie are issued a warning  
  • The hashtag may ‘encourage harmful behaviour to animals or the environment’

Instagram has warned tourists taking quokka selfies in Western Australia that it may actually be a form of animal cruelty.

Social media users who click on the #quokkaselfie hashtag are warned that searching for the images on Instagram may ‘encourage harmful behaviour to animals.’

‘Animal abuse and the sale of endangered animals or their parts is not allowed on Instagram,’ the warning reads.

On Monday Margot Robbie, 27, was just another tourist when she posed for a ‘quokka selfie’ while visiting Rottnest Island in Western Australia

Instagram has warned tourists taking quokka selfies in Western Australia that it may actually be a form of animal cruelty

Instagram has warned tourists taking quokka selfies in Western Australia that it may actually be a form of animal cruelty

Social media users who click on the #quokkaselfie are warned that searching for the images on Instagram may 'encourage harmful behaviour to animals'

Social media users who click on the #quokkaselfie are warned that searching for the images on Instagram may ‘encourage harmful behaviour to animals’

‘You are searching for a hashtag that may be associated with posts that encourage harmful behaviour to animals or the environment.’

Rottnest Island Authority acting executive director Michelle Reynolds is working with Instagram to get the warning removed, PerthNow understands.

A spokesperson for Rottnest Island Authority said: ‘The Instagram block notice… does not serve to educate or inform the public about our conservation efforts or direct people to how they might develop a better understanding of this native species,’ he said.

Tennis great Roger Federer and home-grown Hollywood star Margot Robbie are among of thousands of tourists who have taken quokka selfies.

Tennis great Roger Federer and home-grown Hollywood star Margot Robbie are among of thousands of tourists who have taken quokka selfies

Tennis great Roger Federer and home-grown Hollywood star Margot Robbie are among of thousands of tourists who have taken quokka selfies

On Monday Margot Robbie, 27, was just another tourist when she posed for a ‘quokka selfie’ while visiting Rottnest Island in Western Australia.

Taking to Instagram, the star of I, Tonya looked bemused by the furry creature as she pouted to the camera in the close-up snap.

Quokkas are marsupials that have become synonymous with the Perth holiday spot of Rottnest Island and are very accustomed to humans – often posing for photos and getting up close and personal with visitors. 

Quokkas are marsupials that have become synonymous with the Perth holiday spot of Rottnest Island and are very accustomed to humans

Quokkas are marsupials that have become synonymous with the Perth holiday spot of Rottnest Island and are very accustomed to humans

 

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