French tourists who burnt quokka released from prison
A still taken from the video that landed the two men behind bars. (Supplied)
Two French tourists who burnt a quokka on Rottnest Island have been freed from prison after mere days behind bars.
A Department of Corrective Services spokeswoman confirmed Thibaud Jean Leon Vallet, 24, and his 18-year-old cousin Jean Mickael Batrikian were released from Hakea Prison about 11.30am after completing their seven-day sentences, WA Today reports.
Earlier this month, the men were charged with animal cruelty after using a lighter and aerosol spray can as a homemade flame thrower to singe the quokka.
The pair opted to stay in jail rather than pay $4000 fines.
It is estimated taxpayers footed a $12,670 bill for the French nationals' week-long incarceration.
The maximum penalty for animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in jail.
Quokkas are small, endangered marsupials and are protected under state and federal legislation.
They are almost exclusively found on Rottnest Island after their numbers on the mainland plummeted following European settlement.
There are still some small populations on the mainland.
In February, five quokkas were found dead on Rottnest, after having their heads stuffed into plant protectors.
Source: WA Today
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
