Oh boy!
A Brazilian couple is in hot water after they dyed a local waterfall bright blue on Sunday to announce the birth of their son during a gender reveal party.
The expectant parents are now being investigated by the local government and could be charged with an environmental crime.
The couple, who have not been identified by local media, posted several photos of the bright blue Queima-Pe River waterfall along with a stork made out of balloons before deleting them after waves of backlash.
Queima-Pe River waterfall, located near Tangara da Serra, has long been an ecological tourist destination.
According to residents, the Queima-Pe River is the main source of water for the municipality of Tangara da Serra — which recently suffered a very long period of drought — and several residents now fear their water is contaminated.
Many people on social media are calling for the couple to be charged with an environmental crime.
“Congratulations…you will be the parents of a beautiful environmental crime,” commented environmental engineer Vanessa Costa.
The Secretary of State for the Environment of Mato Grosso state released a statement saying that it will investigate the couple to see if any crime was in fact committed.
“The inspection will investigate the environmental damage caused by the material thrown into the water,” read the statement.
“If there is an environmental crime, those responsible will be charged and may be held accountable for an environmental crime.”
As of Tuesday, no charges have been filed.
