Early on April Fools’ Day fire-fighters and municipal staff of the west coast seaside resort of Oostduinkerke placed a fake killer whale or orca on the beach. The papier-mâché animal was part of an April Fools stunt, but still attracted large crowds.
The stunt was organised with the collaboration of a local carnival group that constructed the orca out of wooden beams, papier-mâché and chicken wire for its carnival float.
With security guards and posts thrown in the scene looked pretty convincing and easily made its way onto social media. On closer inspection the fake nature of the animal was clear.
“What a great April Fools’ joke” exclaimed one beachcomber. “I was taken in from afar!”
“It’s amazing” responded another visitor. “Fire-fighters set a pretty convincing scene! I only noticed it was fake when I approached up close!”
Last October a real orca washed up on the beach between the West Coast resorts of Koksijde and De Panne (VIDEO).
