Vadym Oleynik and Olena Kravchenko have faced backlash over an incident involving a nesting sea turtle in Oman.
Conservation group criticises incident
Vadym Oleynik, 32, was visiting the Ras al Hadd area of Oman with his partner, cosmetic doctor Olena Kravchenko, when the incident reportedly took place. The images were reportedly shared with Oleynik’s approximately 200,000 Instagram followers. As Jam Press reported, the couple were accompanied by volunteers from an environmental organisation that was monitoring turtle nesting activity when the alleged incidents occurred. However, there has been no official confirmation of their reported detention.
Authorities said the incident violated wildlife protection laws. Oman’s Environment Authority later said Oleynik’s actions violated laws and regulations designed to protect wildlife. The authority said it had taken the “necessary legal action” against the individual involved in accordance with applicable legislation. Oleynik has since apologised for his actions and said he did not intend to harm the turtle. I made a mistake and apologise to everyone,” he said.
A Ukrainian fitness influencer has faced widespread criticism after images appeared to show him and his partner sitting on a nesting sea turtle and handling newly hatched turtles in Oman. The coastal region is known as an important nesting site for several species of sea turtles. Images circulating online appeared to show Oleynik and Kravchenko taking turns sitting on the shell of a sea turtle as it was nesting and laying eggs. Oleynik was also seen picking up newly hatched turtles. Images circulating online appeared to show the couple sitting on a sea turtle during its nesting activity. Italian conservation project Biologicamente was among the first organisations to draw attention to the images. The group criticised both the individuals involved and the environmental organisation whose volunteers were reportedly present at the site. It questioned how volunteers could have allowed anyone to sit on a nesting turtle merely for photographs and described the incident as exploitation and mistreatment of wildlife. Following the backlash, comments on his social media account were reportedly disabled. The couple were reportedly accompanied by environmental volunteers monitoring turtle nesting in Ras al Hadd. It also stressed its opposition to behaviour that could harm wildlife or threaten natural habitats. Some reports subsequently claimed that Oleynik and Kravchenko had been detained by police. Oleynik has continued posting photographs and videos from his holiday following the incident. “I didn’t see the rules. He also claimed that he had been misled by the organisation accompanying them and maintained that he had not intended to cause harm. Oleynik describes himself as a fitness influencer, calisthenics champion and Master of Sport in combat sambo. His social media accounts have a substantial following. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
Because the turtle was reportedly in the middle of its nesting process, the images sparked a backlash from conservationists and social media users, particularly.
