Two French tourists were fined AUS$4000 (US$3100) by a court in Fremantle, Western Australia on Friday for burning a quokka, Agence France-Presse reported.
A spokesperson for Fremantle Magistrates Court told AFP that Thibaud Jean Leon Vallet, 24, and Jean Mickael Batrikian, 18, had pleaded guilty to causing the endangered marsupial unnecessary harm.
The spokesperson added that the duo would remain in custody for seven days if they failed to pay the fine.
The incident took place on April 3 on Rottnest Island, an island off Western Australia and almost the only the place quokkas can be found. The cat-sized creatures — famous for their smiling faces — are protected under state and federal legislation.
ABC reported that the pair's lawyer told the court they had not intended the animal any harm and feared for their safety after receiving online abuse.
However, Magistrate Elizabeth Langdon said this was "fanciful," and that the fine was necessary to act as a deterrent.
According to WAToday, Langdon said: "The first word that springs to mind to describe your behaviour is abhorrent."
Addressing Vallet — a journalism major — she said, "It is perplexing as a journalist that you would make the decision to film such a cruel act."
She added, "One can only imagine the impact caused to the quokka. Obviously it would have been fearful as a result of what occurred."
Speaking to Fairfax Media outside the court, Vallet said, "You think we're monsters. We didn't hurt the quokka. We have pets at home."
In February, five quokkas were found dead on Rottnest, with their heads stuffed in plant protectors, ABC reported.
But really, who would want to burn this?
Hello Mate! My first wild quokka, thank you @RottnestIsland!!!