Monday, November 24, 2025 3:50PM
A man was caught on video picking up a sea turtle on a beach in Hawaii, sparking outrage among many.
HAWAII (KABC) — A man was caught on video picking up a sea turtle on a beach in Hawaii, sparking outrage among many.
In the video, the man is seen grabbing and propping the animal up so a woman can take a picture. He then drops it back onto the sand and pats the sea turtle on its back.
“My heart stopped… It was disturbing, disgusting,” said marine life advocate, Melina Clark. “It just showed once again that here we are in 2025, nothing has improved.”
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are protected under both state law and the federal Endangered Species Act. Even approaching one too closely can result in a citation.
Harassing them is punishable by up to one year in jail in addition to a fine.
Conservation officers have taken a report and say they are in the early stages of their investigation.
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