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This is the moment a tourist and her children touch an endangered sea turtle while snorkelling in Brazil leading to the authorities fining her GBP 1,370 after she shared the footage online.
The incident took place in Fernando de Noronha, a volcanic archipelago off Brazil's northeast coast and came to light on 15th October after a video of the encounter circulated on social media.
The video shows the woman, whose identity was not disclosed, reaching out to touch the sea turtle, reportedly a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), while diving in the clear waters of the archipelago.
She appears in the footage alongside her children as they pet the animal.
The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) said it fined the tourist BRL 10,000 (GBP 1,368) for violating environmental regulations.
Officials said the infraction notice was issued on 3rd October after the footage, originally posted online by the woman on 26th September, was verified by the ICMBio Integrated Management Centre, which manages protected species and areas in the country.
The authorities said that the woman's actions had breached the country's Fernando de Noronha Environmental Protection Area Management Plan, which prohibits any physical interaction with wildlife.
Edineia Correia, coordinator of ICMBio’s Thematic Protection Area, said such contact can cause stress and injury to marine species and alter their natural behaviour.
She reminded visitors to maintain distance from wild animals and to avoid touching or feeding them.
The recommendation aims to preserve the balance of Fernando de Noronha’s ecosystems and protect endangered species such as the green sea turtle.
Those fined have 20 calendar days from the date of notification to present an administrative defence to ICMBio.
(Joe Golder/ newsX)
Byline Journalist: Joseph Golder
Byline Sub editor: Marija Stojkoska
Byline Spotter: Ivica Stojanovski
Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Senior Writer: Joseph Golder
Byline Picture Editor: Zorica Stojkovik
Byline Video Editor: David Stojkovic
Byline Copychecker: Angela Trajkovska
Byline Illustrator: Angela Trajkovska
Byline News Editor: Joseph Golder
Geography: Fernando_de_Noronha
Subject: Animals, Reptiles, Tortoise/Turtles, Business, Tourism Business, Crime
T4 Editor Story Rating: 7
T4 Editor Pic/Vid rating: 8
T4 Total rating: 7.5
