A Ukrainian fitness influencer is facing international backlash — and possible legal consequences — after footage showed him sitting on a sea turtle as it attempted to nest at a protected turtle sanctuary in Oman.
Vadym Oleynik, 32, was vacationing with his partner, Olena Kravchenko, when the incident occurred in the Ras Al Jinz/Ras Al Hadd area, one of Oman’s best-known sea turtle nesting destinations. Photos and video show Oleynik climbing onto the turtle’s shell while it was reportedly laying eggs. Kravchenko was also photographed sitting on the animal. The pair were additionally accused of handling newly hatched turtles.
See the footage, linked here, and below:
Oleynik originally shared the footage with his more than 200,000 Instagram followers before deleting it. But, as tends to happen online, the video quickly spread elsewhere, including through Channel 5 News and other social media accounts.
The response was swift. Science and conservation account Biologicamente described the incident as an example of “rotten tourism” and criticized using a wild animal as a prop for social-media content.
Dr. Christine Figgener, a Sea Turtle Biologist & Ocean Advocate, commented on one of the posts: “I am glad they are facing legal actions. Why do people even need to be made aware of conservation status? Isn’t it enough that it is a living and breathing being that shouldn’t be mistreated. Please also notice the green turtle hatchling in his hand.”
@c5news He stops the sea turtle from escaping so he can get a video. A fitness influencer is being investigated after being filmed sitting on a sea turtle while holding a hatchling in Oman. Vadym Oleynik was pictured sitting on the reptile at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, a world-renowned eco-tourism sanctuary based on the easternmost tip of the Arabian Peninsula and blocking its escape this month. Olena Kravchenko has also been named in the incident, is thought to be his fiancé. Law enforcement officials and the Omani Environmental Protection Agency are reportedly investigating the incident involving the two Ukrainian tourists. Video of the incident sparked outrage online but was later deleted. Mr Oleynik has since issued an apology on Sunday and noted he had failed to follow the rules for handling animals and had made a mistake. The pair were said to have been detained at the Oman airport but have not been formally charged. #5news #turtle
Oman’s Environment Authority also got involved, saying the circulating footage showed “acts that disturb sea turtles” and constituted a violation of wildlife-protection regulations.
Officials said “the necessary legal action” had been taken against the person involved and reiterated that practices harming wildlife or natural habitats would not be tolerated.
Related: Watch: 16-Foot Great White Shark Swims Just Offshore as Crowd Watches in Australia
Reports circulated that Oleynik and Kravchenko had been detained by police, although that has not been officially confirmed.
Oleynik has since apologized.
“I didn’t see the rules. I made a mistake and apologise to everyone,” he said. He also apologized directly to Oman’s Environment Authority and the organization protecting green sea turtles. “I didn’t want to hurt the turtle or [do] anything bad to it,” he added.
Oleynik, who describes himself as a world calisthenics champion and fitness coach, may have deleted the original post.
The internet, however, had other plans.
As for the possible legal action against Oleynik, TBD
Related: Aussie Lunatic Plays “Tag” With Tiger Shark in Crazy Viral Video
Original Post from this site