An inconsiderate couple of influencers has sparked outrage online after posing while sitting on a sea turtle as the animal was laying its eggs on a beach.

The incident took place in Oman, in the Ras al Hadd region, and quickly sparked a wave of backlash.

The 32-year-old Ukrainian athlete Vadym Oleynik was on vacation with his partner, Olena Kravchenko, when the outrageous incident occurred.

This is horrible.

A Ukrainian fitness influencer and his partner sat on a nesting sea turtle in Oman, and he even picked up a hatchling while the turtle was laying eggs.

Advertisement

After it went viral, he apologized and said he didn’t know the rules.

It’s not rocket science what the…

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 28, 2026

The couple thought it would be a good idea to sit on the sea turtle’s shell while she was laying eggs, and they took turns posing for photos, smiling broadly and making the “V” sign.

In fact, in a video that was released, the turtle can be seen struggling to walk on the sand, while the two inconsiderate individuals sit comfortably on its shell.

SHOCKING! Ukrainian athlete Vadym Oliynyk and his partner are facing an investigation in Oman after footage showed them sitting on a sea turtle while the animal struggled to escape.

Oman’s Environment Authority says wildlife protection rules were violated. Oliynyk has… pic.twitter.com/TSjFQFTJWe

Advertisement

— India First Post (@ifpost47) September 28, 2026

The shocking photos went viral online and sparked thousands of negative and angry comments, while the couple was also accused of collecting newborn turtle hatchlings.

Tourist sparks fury in Oman after riding a sea turtle down a beach as it was laying eggs https://t.co/cqGkLrybzz

— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) September 29, 2026

The incident was strongly condemned, and the Omani Environment Authority later stated that Oleinik’s actions violated laws and regulations for the protection of wildlife.

The authority stated that it had taken the “necessary legal measures against the individual in question, in accordance with applicable law.”

Following the uproar, the influencer couple apologized, saying they were unaware of Oman’s laws and did not believe they had done anything wrong.

Source: iefimerida.gr