Marine experts are appalled at vision of a man surfing a whale shark. Pic: Marine Connection Source: Facebook

The horrifying clip posted online earlier this week shows a group of men standing on the protected animal’s back and they are pulled along by a rope attached to a boat where others laugh at the spectacle and film.

The vision continues for several minutes as the two men taunt the shark as it continues to follow the boat after they climb off its back.

The harmless shark follows the boat for several minutes. Pic: Marine Connection Source: Facebook

London-based marine wildlife group Marine Connection brought the “unbelievable” footage to attention, posting the clip online with the caption “wildlife harassment is never a laughing matter”.

“What a sad reflection on their attitude to wildlife when, instead of considering themselves fortunate to see this majestic creature in the wild, they choose to participate in a stupid stunt like this,” the group says of the “surfers”.

“These guys should be charged.”

Since the group drew attention to the men’s “arrogant” and “stupid” actions, wildlife lovers have reacted with disgust.

“Morons, it’s time people had more respect for other forms of life — disgusting,” one commenter wrote.

“Dumb f***s, too bad it wasn’t something with really big, sharp teeth ... and lots of them,” said another.

“I have been diving and searching for these fabulous animals, unfortunately I was never lucky enough to see them. These brainless men clearly didn’t realist how lucky they were.”

Whale sharks are internationally recognised as a protected species. Source: Facebook

Whale sharks are listed internationally as a protected species, and recognised as vulnerable and non-threatening to humans.

It is unclear where the footage was taken, but Marine Connection believes it may have happened off Venezuela.