Sulina Driver Intentionally Hit Cormorant With Car, Tormented It For Amusement; Animal Police Investigating

A shocking act of animal cruelty unfolded in Romania's Danube Delta, where a man from Sulina intentionally struck a cormorant with his car and then filmed himself tormenting the injured bird for amusement. The disturbing footage, which circulated online and sparked widespread outrage, has prompted an investigation by animal police.

The man drove his vehicle onto a beach within the protected biosphere reserve, a strictly prohibited area for cars. In the video, he is heard laughing as he approaches the injured bird, recounting how he hit it. "It was standing in the middle of the road and sleeping. Directly with the car. Why brake? Full acceleration," he says in the recording. The cormorant is seen tied by a rope around its neck, and the man jokes about using it as a kite while continuing to film and mock it.

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It was standing in the middle of the road and sleeping. Directly with the car. Why brake? Full acceleration.

Officials from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration reported the incident and forwarded the images to the police's Animal Protection Bureau. The governor of the Danube Delta, Florin Stăneață, stated that the individual is known to the authorities and that legal measures will be taken. "It seems my colleagues know the person, which is why we will take legal action by filing a complaint with the Animal Police so that legal measures can be taken, considering the act constitutes a crime. We are also considering the fact that he entered the beach with the car, which is totally forbidden. The fine is between 2,500 and 5,000 lei," Stăneață told Observator News.

The Animal Protection Bureau in Tulcea has initiated its own investigation. Authorities identified the suspect as a 48-year-old man from Sulina. The investigation, coordinated by the Tulcea Prosecutor's Office, is being conducted with specialists from the reserve administration. Authorities are reminding the public that harming, capturing, or keeping protected wild birds is a criminal offense. Driving in protected areas of the Danube Delta is also prohibited and subject to fines.

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It seems my colleagues know the person, which is why we will take legal action by filing a complaint with the Animal Police so that legal measures can be taken, considering the act constitutes a crime. We are also considering the fact that he entered the beach with the car, which is totally forbidden. The fine is between 2,500 and 5,000 lei.