"Is This Fun?"... Mother Smirks While Sitting With Child on Endangered Turtle's Back

Spotted at a Zoo in Foshan, Guangdong Province
"The Turtle Shows No Health Problems"

A Chinese woman holding a child while standing on a terrestrial turtle classified as a Level 2 International Endangered Species. Photo by X·Baidu

Public outrage has erupted after a woman was captured on video at a zoo in China, holding a child while sitting atop a turtle's back.

According to Chinese state-run Huanqiu.com and other local media on August 25, a video taken at a zoo in Foshan, Guangdong Province, on August 21 circulated online, showing a woman holding a small child while climbing onto the back of a terrestrial turtle.

A Chinese woman holding a child and sitting on a terrestrial tortoise classified as a Level 2 endangered species. Photo by X·Baidu

In the footage, the woman, appearing to be with her daughter, was sitting on the back of a terrestrial turtle about 40 centimeters in length. When the turtle tried to move away, the woman laughed and seemed to enjoy the situation, and it was also reported that she called another child over in an attempt to let both ride atop the turtle together.

This turtle is a "Sulcata Tortoise," which is designated as a second-class international endangered species and is under protection. According to local media, there was a sign at the site instructing visitors not to step on or sit atop the turtles. However, the person filming the video stated that staff on-site did not intervene in their actions.

As the controversy grew, the zoo explained, "A veterinarian checked the condition of the terrestrial turtle and found no health problems."

However, the zoo warned that "the turtle's shell is not merely an external protective shield, but a living bone structure formed by the fusion of its spine and ribs. If a person's weight is concentrated on one spot, it can cause cracks in the shell or damage the spine, and in severe cases may even put pressure on the animal's internal organs."

A turtle covered with graffiti on its back found in Busan. Yonhap News Agency

Recent Suspected Case of Turtle Abuse in Busan

Recently, within Korea as well, a large turtle—suspected to be an invasive species—was discovered in a coastal drainage outlet in Busan, its shell covered with various graffiti, sparking controversy over animal abuse.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a resident who was out for a walk and first discovered the turtle stated, "It measured well over 30 centimeters in length and its shell was densely covered with white writing, such as a home address, wishes, and people's names, suggesting someone kept it and later released it." The resident did not report the discovery immediately, but after returning home and coming back to the scene several hours later, found the turtle had already disappeared.

Shin Insub, head of the animal protection group LIFE, explained, "Softshell turtles are usually used for ritual animal releases, but since softshell turtles are hard to obtain, it appears the turtle in question was chosen instead."

Releasing invasive alien species into rivers or coastal areas without authorization can result in fines or criminal penalties under relevant laws. In addition, carving or painting graffiti on a turtle's shell is also punishable under the Animal Protection Act.

Experts urge the public that if they discover a suspected invasive species, they should not capture or release it in another location on their own, but should immediately report the sighting to the relevant local authorities or government agencies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.