Jun 22, (Emirates 247): A shocking video has emerged showing two men 'surfing' on a rare whale shark.

Footage shows the 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 three-minute video shows the pair standing on the giant fish while being towed by a speedboat.

Whale sharks, which are the largest fish in the sea, reaching lengths of more than 40ft (12 meters), are protected and classed as "vulnerable" to extinction.

Marine activists heavily criticised the men for their "stupidity and arrogance".

London-based wildlife group Marine Connection posted the clip online in the hope the men can be identified and "brought to justice".

Marine Connection believes the stunt was filmed in Venezuela - partly due to the type of Spanish men on the boat are speaking.

It said the footage was posted on a Facebook account in Venezuela earlier this month, and was later deleted.