Influencer Couple Faces Backlash for Sitting on Endangered Sea Turtle and Playing With Its Baby

Influencer Vadym Oleynik is facing legal action in Oman after footage appeared to show him sitting on a protected sea turtle while holding a newly hatched baby turtle.

The video, which has since been deleted from Oleynik's Instagram account, shows him sitting on the back of a large sea turtle as it moves along the beach. The animal appears distressed and attempts to move away while Oleynik remains on its shell.

Oleynik's partner, Olena Kravchenko, was also reportedly filmed sitting on the turtle's shell. Separate footage showed Oleynik holding a tiny, freshly hatched turtle in his hand.

The images spread rapidly across social media and prompted widespread criticism. According to reports, the footage was filmed in the Ras Al Jinz area of Oman, one of the country's most important nesting sites for green sea turtles.

The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is a significant conservation site on Oman's eastern coast, where green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. The reserve was established under a Royal Decree in 1996 and has become an important destination for controlled turtle-watching activities.

Oman Authorities Begin Legal Proceedings

The controversy escalated after Oman's Environment Authority confirmed that it was monitoring the footage. On 27 September, the authority said it was closely following the circulating video and indicated that legal proceedings had been initiated against those involved.

The action is significant because Oman has specific laws protecting wildlife and nature reserves. The country's Law on Nature Reserves and Wildlife Conservation, issued through Royal Decree No. 6/2003, provides legal protection for a number of species, including the green turtle (Chelonia mydas).

The legislation prohibits certain activities involving protected wildlife and provides penalties for violations of the law and associated regulations. The exact offence alleged against Oleynik and Kravchenko, however, has not been publicly detailed by authorities, and the final outcome of the proceedings remains unclear.

Rules at turtle nesting sites are also designed to minimise disturbance. Visitors are generally instructed not to touch turtles, approach them unnecessarily or interfere with nesting activity.

Such restrictions are particularly important because nesting turtles can be disturbed by human contact, while hatchlings are vulnerable during their journey from the nest towards the sea.

Oleynik Apologises For 'Mistake'

Following the backlash, Oleynik addressed the controversy in an Instagram story and apologised to Oman's Environment Authority and organisations responsible for protecting green sea turtles.

He said he had not seen the rules governing interactions with the animals and described his behaviour as a mistake.

Oleynik also said he had not intended to hurt the turtle or cause it any harm.

His explanation followed intense criticism from social media users, with many questioning why he had interacted so closely with an animal at a protected nesting site.

The incident has renewed attention on the rules surrounding wildlife tourism and the responsibility of visitors at conservation sites. While encounters with sea turtles can be a major attraction for tourists, conservation authorities typically stress that visitors should observe animals without touching, chasing or interfering with their natural behaviour.

Green turtles remain protected under Omani law, regardless of the wider global conservation status of the species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature revised the global status of the green turtle in 2025, but noted that individual populations face differing levels of threat.