News Editor Ajda Ender /Harrisons
This is the moment a Ukrainian fitness trainer repeatedly clambers onto a huge sea turtle while clutching one of its tiny hatchlings as the animals struggle to get away.
Vadym Oliynyk sits on a sea turtle’s shell and holds its hatchlings in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. An investigation was launched. ***Video Licence Restrictions: NEWS MEDIA PORTALS ONLY. Usage on social media is possible but we offer no guarantees. This video is offered under our ‘social and local media source’ licence. For details contact harrisons@t4hub.com
The incident happened in the Ras Al Jinz area of Oman, one of the country’s best-known sea turtle nesting sites, and was reported on 28th September.
Vadym Oliynyk poses with the turtle in undated photo. He was slammed for torturing a turtle in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
Footage shows heavily built fitness trainer Vadym Oleynik approaching the adult turtle as it attempts to crawl away before sitting down on its shell.
Olena Kravchenko poses with the turtle in undated photo. She was slammed for torturing a turtle in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
Vadym slips off as the turtle keeps moving, but gets back onto the animal while laughing.
Picture shows Vadym Oliynyk with the turtle, undated. He was slammed for torturing a turtle in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
Even more seriously, he can also be seen holding a tiny newly hatched turtle in his hands.
Vadym Oliynyk poses in undated photo. He was slammed for torturing a turtle in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@vadym_oleynik/Harrisons)
The hatchling frantically flaps its small fins and struggles against his grip as he continues laughing.
Vadym Oliynyk and Olena Kravchenko pose in undated photo. He was slammed for torturing a turtle in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@vadym_oleynik/Harrisons)
Another Ukrainian tourist, cosmetologist Olena Kravchenko, was also reportedly filmed sitting or lying on the turtle’s shell during the incident.
Vadym Oliynyk poses in undated photo. He was slammed for torturing a turtle in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@vadym_oleynik/Harrisons)
The footage and photographs were later shared online and prompted widespread criticism after being highlighted by Italian conservation project Biologicamente.
Vadym Oliynyk and Olena Kravchenko pose in undated photo. They were slammed for torturing a turtle in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@vadym_oleynik/Harrisons)
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.
Vadym Oliynyk speaks in undated video. He was slammed for torturing a turtle in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Harrisons)
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 Oliynyk sits on a sea turtle’s shell and holds its hatchlings in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. An investigation was launched. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Harrisons)
Vadym later posted an apology on Instagram and addressed Oman’s Environment Authority and an organisation involved in protecting green sea turtles.
Vadym Oliynyk sits on a sea turtle’s shell and holds its hatchlings in Ras Al Jinz, Oman. An investigation was launched. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Harrisons)
He admitted that he had failed to follow the rules for handling the animals and said he had made a mistake.
Vadym, who has more than 200,000 Instagram followers, also said he had not intended to cause the turtle harm or pain.
Oman’s Environment Authority subsequently 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.
Biologicamente later claimed Vadym and his companion had been stopped by police at an airport following the controversy, although Ukrainian media said they had sought separate confirmation of that claim from the country’s foreign ministry.
The conservation project also claimed guides involved in the incident had been fined.
(Harrisons)
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