A short video showing tourists manhandling a sea turtle off Redang Island in Malaysia has sparked widespread outrage across social media and prompted an official investigation by local authorities. The footage, which surfaced earlier this month, appears to show a group of snorkelers grabbing and restraining a turtle underwater as it struggles to reach the surface for air.
According to a report in the South China Morning Post, one man is seen repeatedly holding the turtle by its shell and neck, while others surround it in shallow water. In one frame, a tourist appears to stand on the animal’s shell as it tries to escape. The clip, estimated to be around twenty seconds long, has been widely shared on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, where it drew thousands of angry comments from divers and conservationists.
The non-profit Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRACC) in Borneo condemned the behaviour, calling it “abuse” and warning that sea turtles can drown if prevented from surfacing. TRACC urged dive and snorkel operators to enforce responsible wildlife interaction guidelines and reminded tourists that touching or restraining marine animals is strictly prohibited under Malaysian law.
Officials from the Terengganu Fisheries Department have since confirmed they are investigating the incident, reviewing social media videos to identify those involved. The department emphasised that harassing or harming sea turtles is a serious offence, punishable by heavy fines and possible imprisonment under Malaysia’s Fisheries Act.
Local media including the Daily Express reported that the video was filmed near Teluk Dalam, one of Redang’s most popular snorkeling bays. Witnesses allege that a tour guide was also seen holding the turtle by its neck, a claim that has added to the public backlash against irresponsible marine tourism practices.
While the authenticity and exact date of the video have not yet been independently verified, similar incidents have drawn legal action in Malaysia in recent years. In a separate case in Sabah earlier this year, a group of divers and a local operator were fined after footage showed them “tormenting a sea turtle underwater”, according to Divernet.
Marine conservation advocates say the Redang incident underscores a growing need for stricter enforcement and better education among tourists. Sea turtles, protected under Malaysian law, play a vital role in reef ecosystems, and Redang’s waters are among the few remaining nesting and feeding grounds for green and hawksbill turtles in the South China Sea.
As the investigation continues, the viral video has become a rallying point for divers and conservation groups calling for a renewed focus on sustainable tourism across Malaysia’s marine parks.
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