Ukrainian athlete and his companion photographed riding a large turtle in Oman. Ended in scandal
The footage spread across social networks and reached the Omani authorities.
Aleynik is a Ukrainian athlete, fitness trainer, and influencer. He practices calisthenics and street workout, participating in international competitions. Around 200,000 people follow his Instagram page.
In September, Aleynik, along with his companion Elena Kravchenko, went on holiday to Oman. During the trip, the couple visited Ras al Hadd in the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. This is one of the main nesting sites for sea turtles in Oman.
Aleynik published photos and videos showing him sitting on the shell of a large turtle, holding a newly hatched turtle in his hand. In other photos, his companion is sitting on the same turtle. Later, the man tried to ride the large turtle.
Ukrajinci vyvolali pobouření v Ománu poté, co se svezli na želvě mořské.
Italský projekt ochrany přírody Biologicamente tento incident odsoudil a zdůraznil, že se želvy mořské nesmí ani dotýkat, natož na nich sedět pic.twitter.com/2BPT6y2ARc
These images later spread across social media and news outlets. The blog of the Italian popular science community Biologicamente criticized the tourists' behavior, pointing out that a sea turtle is a wild animal and one should not sit on it or pick up small turtles.
As a result, Oman's Environment Authority reacted to the video. They confirmed that such actions violate wildlife protection laws and regulations.
As reported by the official authorities of Oman, "necessary legal measures have been taken" against the athlete. What these measures are has not been specified. They also reminded visitors to nesting sites that turtles should not be touched, approached, or otherwise disturbed.
After the scandal, Aleynik posted an apology in English on Instagram.
«Friends, first of all, I would like to apologize to the Environment Authority of the Sultanate of Oman, as well as to the organization for the protection of green sea turtles, for sitting [on the turtle], because someone misled me, and I did not see the rules. Therefore, I made a mistake and send my apologies to everyone. I did not want to harm the turtle or do anything bad to it. And may God bless you all and forgive me for my mistake,» says Aleynik.
Later, Biologicamente published an update to the story. It is claimed that both tourists were detained by the police at the airport. Sanctions allegedly also affected the people who acted as guides.
Official Omani authorities did not report the detention of the two tourists at the airport.
Ras al Hadd is one of the important nesting sites for sea turtles in Oman. Ironically, during the same days, a special forum titled "Environmental Legislation: Together for Turtle Protection" was held in the province. At this forum, representatives from environmental agencies, the public prosecutor's office, and scientists discussed turtle protection and responsibility for violations against wildlife.
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