Oman says it took legal measures over turtle video

Oman’s Environment Authority said it has taken legal measures against an individual shown in a video disturbing sea turtles at Ras Al Jinz, after footage of Ukrainian fitness influencer Vadym Oleynik sitting on a turtle and holding a hatchling circulated online. The Authority has not specified the measures, identified an offence or announced any penalty. The footage and related images were described as showing Oleynik sitting on the adult turtle and holding a newly hatched turtle. Reports also identified his partner, Olena Kravchenko, as having sat on the animal. The incident took place at Ras Al Jinz, an Omani sea turtle nesting area. The Authority said the video showed disturbance of turtles and that it had acted under applicable laws and regulations. Oleynik apologized in a video, saying he had made a mistake, had not seen the rules and did not intend to harm the turtle. He also said he had been misled. His apology followed criticism from conservation advocates, including the Italian project Biologicamente, which said it had reported the incident to authorities. The group said professional conservation volunteers would not be permitted to sit on turtles for photographs.