Desperate for clicks in a sea of outrageous video content and AI slop, influencers are using increasingly shocking encounters with wildlife to push themselves to the top of the algorithm.
For a case in point, consider a recent viral incident in the country of Oman, in which Ukrainian fitness influencer Vadym Oleynik and his wife Olena Kravchenko filmed themselves “riding” a large adult sea turtle as it tried to nest its eggs. While it isn’t known exactly what species of turtle the couple was messing with, the area they were in, the Ras al Hadd Turtle Reserve, is one of the most important nesting grounds for the once-endangered green turtle.
In one portion of the reel, Oleynik is filmed handling a brand new hatchling between his fingers while trying to sit on top of the adult, which is struggling desperately to escape in the sand.
The video quickly went viral across various social media apps, prompting outrage from conservation groups and viewers alike, and evidently pushing Oleynik to take his popular Instagram page private.
“The desire for fame and viral views has pushed many to do evil and stupid acts,” one user commented under a copy of the clip shared on YouTube. “It also exposed one’s true character.”
Responding to the incident, the Environment Authority of the Sultanate of Oman issued a statement noting that it was taking action to hold Oleynik accountable.
“The Environment Authority has been closely following a video circulating on social media showing a tourist engaging in acts that disturb sea turtles in the Ras Al Hadd area, in violation of the laws and regulations governing wildlife protection in the Sultanate of Oman,” the statement declares.
“The Authority confirms that it has taken the necessary legal action against the individual concerned,” it continues.
In a response viewed by People, Oleynik said he hadn’t “seen the rules” prohibiting from sitting on the majestic creature.
“I would like to send — first of all — my [apologies to] the Environmental Authority Sultanate of Oman,” the influencer said in an Instagram story. “Also for the protection agency of the green sea turtles that I was sitting on.”
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