'The clicks aren’t worth it': Couple slammed for 'hand feeding' shark near 2-year-old son!
A travel vlogging couple was chastised online after posting a video of a shark feasting on scraps they threw into the water, only inches away from their two-year-old son. Outraged social media users dubbed Australian vloggers Elayna Carausu, 28, and Riley Whitelum, 37, "super irresponsible" after they posted the footage aboard their fancy boat. The shark is seen thrashing around in the water and hitting the boat. The couple, who have thousands of followers on their Instagram, are sailing across the world with their two young kids, Darwin and Lenny, for seven years.
Elayna post sparked a social media meltdown on Sunday, 3 April when she posted a video of Riley feeding a shark as she and tiny Lenny stood right on the edge of the boat, inches from the shark. As the shark thrashes about, it knocks into the side of the boat, and the toddler can be seen stumbling back from the force of the hit. "Hand feeding sharks from our floating home," Elayna's caption reads. "We've seen a lot from this back porch, but nothing quite like this."
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The video was bashed online with a barrage of criticism raining down on them as concerned social media users and marine biologists weighed in on their antics.
A user wrote, “Please be careful…. I don’t think these videos are worth the risk you’re putting your family in. I’m afraid one day this is going to back fire for you. The “clicks” aren’t worth it.” Another user commented, “Not cool. Your child looks scared. You won’t get my support on content like this, I’m unfollowing.”A user complained, “Bigger channel = bigger responsibility. But this behavior is just unresponsible. And no not because of your kid being close to a shark. That's your personal decision and probably not as dangerous as it may look. But feeding wild animals is always and everywhere a no go! Why do you have to do this? For fun? For clicks? I don't get it. Normally I like your channel, but content like this makes me think of I really want to support it...” A user commented, “Wtf??? This is totally unacceptable! What you won’t do just get peoples attention! Shocking! You live only to get attention. Must be a very shallow life. What a shame.”
From the Bahamas to the Mediterranean Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu have been sailing their hearts out. The travel blogger couple have been documenting their life as they sail around the world with their kids.