{"id":307533,"date":"2025-11-26T06:08:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T06:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/307533\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T06:08:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T06:08:12","slug":"disturbing-man-hauls-turtle-out-of-the-sea-for-photo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/307533\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Disturbing’ Man Hauls Turtle Out of the Sea for Photo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ATikTok <\/p>\n

A man in Hawaii has been labeled \u201cdisgusting\u201d after he was caught on video aggressively handling a sea turtle so he could pose for a photo with it. <\/p>\n

Authorities are investigating after the Hawaiian green sea turtle was seen being manhandled in the surf as a woman stood nearby to take a photo. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy heart stopped\u2026 It was disturbing, disgusting,\u201d marine life advocate Melina Clark tells ABC 7.<\/a> \u201cIt just showed once again that here we are in 2025, nothing has improved.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Knock it off.” A new video is sparking outrage after a man was seen picking up a honu, a Hawaiian green sea turtle, for a photo. <\/p>\n

FULL STORY: https:\/\/t.co\/K1Et7AFUUx<\/a> #HNN<\/a> #HInews<\/a> #turtle<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/SLuLfjxIov<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) November 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The video was originally posted by TikTok user @itsbleuworld<\/a> who appears to imply that the sea turtle was dead and had washed up on the shore. <\/p>\n

But whether the animal was alive or not, it is still unacceptable to behave in this way. \u201cThese turtles have been here for millions of years,\u201d Clark adds. \u201cThe more people who don\u2019t show care or teach others how important they are to the islands, the more harm we\u2019ll keep seeing. Locals care. Hawaiians care.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hawaiian green sea turtles are safeguarded by state regulations as well as the federal Endangered Species Act, meaning even getting too close can earn you a citation. Harassing these animals carries steep consequences \u2014 fines and potentially up to a year in jail.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat our law provides is that a person who does that and is found guilty is guilty of a misdemeanor offense,\u201d Jason Redulla, enforcement chief for DLNR\u2019s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, tells local media. \u201cThat means up to one year in jail and a fine of no less than $250 on the first offense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Redulla adds they are still in the early stages of their investigation. He believes the incident occurred in East Honolulu. <\/p>\n

\u201cKnock it off. Respect our wildlife as you would the wildlife where you come from,\u201d Redulla says to the culprit. \u201cA lot of people come to Hawaii relaxed and not fully thinking about what they\u2019re doing, or what consequences their actions may have.\u201d<\/p>\n

State officials advise keeping a minimum distance of 10 feet from sea turtles. Although the turtles, known as honu in Hawaii, often seem placid, they should be approached with caution, as the animals have strong beaks capable of inflicting serious injuries.<\/p>\n