Chinese influencer who ate great white shark fined $18,500

A Chinese blogger has attracted condemnation and a hefty fine after she live-streamed herself eating a great white shark.

In the clip, the influencer – known online as Tizi – shows the audience the baby great white before cooking and eating it, describing it as “yummy”.

Weibo users expressed shock at Tizi’s video clip. “After watching this person’s video, I was… speechless,” one user wrote.

The clip, which was originally filmed last July and swiftly went viral, has since been deleted from Chinese video platforms Kuaishou and Douyin.

Great white sharks are a protected species in China, and the video breaks wildlife protection laws prohibiting the illegal possession and unlawful trade of wildlife products.

Last week, the streamer – whose surname police confirmed as Jin – was fined $18,500 following an investigation by police in the city of Nanchong where the video was filmed.

According to reports, Jin bought the shark on Taobao (an online shopping platform) in April 2022 for 7,700 yuan ($1,150). Two fisherman accused of catching and selling the shark have also been arrested.

At the time the video was removed in 2022, Jin argued she had purchased the shark legally. “These people [are] talking nonsense,” she told Red Star News.

Jin had been known for recording videos of herself eating rarely-eaten animals, including ostriches and crocodiles – often cooking them in a wok with spices.

The official WeChat account of the Sichuan Nanchong Market Supervision Administration confirmed that Jin’s actions had “violated the relevant provisions,” and she was given “an administrative punishment according to the law.” Her social media accounts have also been deleted.

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