2 French men charged by Australia court for torching endangered animal

Screen shot of the alleged quokka burning video

Two French nationals have been punished by an Australian court after they filmed themselves setting on fire an endangered animal.

A report by Western Australian Today on Saturday said the two French tourists, identified as Thibaud Jean Leon Vallet and Jean Mickael Batrikian, were charged of animal cruelty after allegedly igniting an aerosol spray with a lighter to burn a quokka.

A quokka is an endangered furry marsupial about the size of a domestic cat found in southwestern Australia.

It is said to be the “world’s happiest animal.”

The report said the two were slapped with a hefty fine of $4,000 each even though the quokka survived.

But a report from the Australian Broadcasting Company said the two were not able to pay the fine so they spent a night in jail. NC/RC