Disney actress faces backlash after video shows her ‘gently’ touching resting sea turtles
HONOLULU (KHNL/Gray News) - An actress known for her roles in multiple Disney productions is apologizing after she recently posted a video of her “gently” touching resting turtles in Hawaii.
Actress China Anne McClain is at the center of the fallout. Her sister was the person who filmed the controversial video.
In a now-deleted video once posted to her Instagram page, China Anne McClain is seen walking up to the turtles before she begins to touch them.
One environmental activist said her actions are likely a violation of federal protection laws. However, state officials said that might not be the case.
The video was posted sometime over the weekend and quickly went viral.
It was taken in Paia on the north side of Maui, although the exact location has not been confirmed.
In an update put out by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources late Monday afternoon, McClain and her sister apologized and said the video was taken two years ago.
“I was not fully aware of the situation until today, and I certainly wasn’t aware of the laws,” McClain told the DLNR.
“It’s the people I don’t want to hurt,” she added. “I understand respecting culture, and I understand the pain that comes with not having your culture respected. Those are never lines that we cross intentionally, so that part of this situation is hurting us right now. I adore these beautiful turtles and the people of Hawaii. We’re very sorry.”
Her father and manager also made a statement supporting his daughter’s apology.
“All our family loves and respects Hawaii and we apologize for inadvertently causing this pain,” he said.
Before it was deleted, the caption of the video said in part: “Just found this turtle gem... Found so many other pics from this beautiful healing place that I might share. Don’t be shocked if I pack up and move to Maui one of these days.”
Thousands of people saw it and shared it. It racked up nearly half a million views. One of them was Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.
“Aloha China, I urge you to educate yourself on Hawaii’s laws and the importance of protecting our marine life before visiting our islands,” Green said in a comment left under the video. “Please delete this video and do better.”
Hundreds more in the comments called for McClain to face steep fines for breaking the law.
However, the DLNR said McClain might not have to face any legal repercussions for her actions.
“Touching turtles is not necessarily breaking the law, unless law enforcement agencies determine that the actions are a ‘take.’ For example, if a person’s actions in some way harm a turtle or alter a turtle’s behaviors, there are a variety of state and/or federal laws that a person could be charged with,” the DLNR said.
Even so, it’s not clear whether the McClains will face any penalties for their actions.
“On its face, their activity may not have been a violation of state or federal rules that protect endangered or threatened species like turtles, but it certainly ignored wildlife viewing guidelines developed by NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the DLNR,” state officials said.
Todd Steiner founded the Turtle Island Restoration Network and has worked to protect turtles around the world.
He said Hawaii is one of the few places where turtles actually come on shore to rest, thermoregulate and digest.
“Just like any Hollywood actresses that probably doesn’t wanna be bothered after they eat, sea turtles are in the same boat,” Steiner said.
He says that while green sea turtles are usually calm animals, they do have very strong jaws. Hawksbill turtles, which are also found in Hawaii, do bite.
Either way, he said you should avoid getting close to them.
“We can pass on diseases as well as disturb the animals. You really don’t want to have direct contact with these animals as much as in your heart it would feel nice, but yeah, just don’t,” Steiner said.
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