Man Sparks Outrage After Grabbing and Posing with Sea Turtle in Viral Video: ‘This Is Not Okay’

A man has drawn widespread criticism after being filmed picking up a sea turtle and posing with it on a beach in Hawaii.

In a TikTok video posted on Nov. 14 by user @itsbleuworld, the man is seen lifting a Hawaiian green sea turtle, propping it up, holding its fins, and smiling for a photo. He then sets the turtle back down, taps its shell several times, and walks away. According to the TikTok creator, the incident took place on Oct. 31 at Kuli‘ou‘ou Beach Park near Hawai‘i Kai on O‘ahu.

“Please remember DO NOT touch sea turtles in Hawaii, regardless of their condition, alive or dead,” the caption reads. “They are protected animals. You must stay at least 10 feet away from them and avoid taking close-up photos or interacting with them in any way. This is not okay.”

Hawaiian green sea turtles are protected under both Hawaii state law and the federal Endangered Species Act. The species is listed as “threatened,” and harassing or interfering with them is a crime that can be punished by up to one year in jail and fines.

The TikTok user, whose video has been viewed over 14,000 times, added that state officials have been notified and that the turtle in the clip was already dead when the man handled it. The animal reportedly had three deep cuts on its shell.

@itsbleuworld

PSA: My pawrent took me to the beach today and we saw people touching a sea turtle. Please remember DO NOT touch sea turtles in Hawai‘i, regardless of their condition, alive or dead. They are protected animals. You must stay at least 10 feet away from them and avoid taking close-up photos or interacting with them in any way. This is not okay. #fyp #seaturtle #awareness #hawaii #dontdothis

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Jason Redulla, enforcement chief for the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, spoke to Hawaii News Now about the incident.

“What our law provides is that a person who does that and is found guilty is guilty of a misdemeanor offense,” he explained. “That means up to one year in jail and a fine of no less than $250 on the first offense.”

Redulla also urged visitors to think carefully about how they treat native wildlife. “Knock it off. Respect our wildlife as you would the wildlife where you come from,” he said. “A lot of people come to Hawaii relaxed and not fully thinking about what they’re doing, or what consequences their actions may have.”

Marine life advocate Melina Clark said she was horrified when she saw the footage circulating online.

“My heart stopped … it was disturbing,” she told the outlet, adding that the incident highlighted ongoing problems. “It just showed once again that here we are in 2025, nothing has improved.”

“These turtles have been here millions of years,” Clark continued. “The more people who don’t show care or teach others how important they are to the islands, the more harm we’ll keep seeing. Locals care. Hawaiians care.”