Fitness influencer sparks outrage after riding on sea turtle for content

A Ukrainian fitness influencer has apologised after a disturbing video of him sitting on a turtle and holding its babies circulated online.

The incident happened in the Ras Al Jinz area of Oman, one of the country’s most famous sea turtle nesting sites.

Footage showed fitness trainer Vadym Oleynik approaching the adult turtle as it attempted to crawl away before he sat down on its shell.

Vadym slipped off as the turtle kept moving, but got back onto the animal while laughing.

The Ukrainian influencer was also seen holding a tiny turtle hatchling in his hands.

The hatchling was flapping its small fins and struggling against his grip as he continued to laugh.

Another Ukrainian tourist, cosmetologist Olena Kravchenko, was also reportedly filmed sitting on the turtle’s shell during the incident.

The footage and photographs were later shared online and prompted widespread criticism after being highlighted by Italian conservation project Biologicamente.

The organisation said sea turtles are wild animals which should not be touched or used for photographs and said it had reported the incident to the authorities.

It said: ‘A serious and professional association accompanied by a scientific committee would never allow its volunteers to sit on turtles in order to take selfies.

‘It is disgusting and unpleasant. This is exploitation, mistreatment and abuse, nothing resembling volunteering.’

Vadym later posted an apology on Instagram and addressed Oman’s Environment Authority and an organisation involved in protecting green sea turtles.

He admitted that he had failed to follow the rules for handling the animals and said he had made a mistake.

Vadym also said he had not intended to cause the turtle harm or pain.

Oman’s Environment Authority confirmed that the incident in Ras Al Jinz was being investigated and said ‘legal measures’ had been taken against those involved.

Officials reminded visitors that people at turtle nesting sites are forbidden from touching, approaching or otherwise disturbing the animals.

Tourists were urged to watch the turtles only from a safe distance and report any breaches of wildlife protection rules.

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