Legal Literacy - The action of a woman who was seen riding on the back of a sea turtle at Biru Beach, Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Saturday night (25/4/2026), sparked public outrage. In the video circulating, the turtle on the shoreline was treated like an object of entertainment and tourist content, not as a wild animal that should be given a safe space. The incident reportedly took place at Biru Beach, Tanjung Merdeka, Tamalate District, Makassar City.

Sea turtles are not just interesting marine animals to look at. In Indonesia, sea turtles are a protected species. The East Java KSDA Center notes that the six species of sea turtles found in Indonesian waters, including green turtles, Olive Ridley turtles, Hawksbill turtles, Leatherback turtles, Loggerhead turtles, and Flatback turtles, are animals that must be treated carefully. In fact, the sea turtle observation guide explicitly warns people not to touch, play with, or even sit on sea turtles.

Sea Turtles are Protected by Law

The protection of sea turtles cannot be separated from the legal framework of conservation in Indonesia. Law No. 5 of 1990 on the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems has been amended through Law No. 32 of 2024. The amendment strengthens the responsibilities of the state, local governments, and communities in maintaining the conservation of biological natural resources and their ecosystems.

With this status, human interaction with sea turtles cannot be taken lightly. Protected wildlife should not be treated like a tourist attraction, photo prop, or entertainment object. Any action that has the potential to disturb, injure or harm protected animals must be placed within the framework of legal protection and conservation ethics.

Criminal Risk

From a legal perspective, the act of riding or sitting on a sea turtle needs to be assessed based on the elements of action, consequences, and culpability of the perpetrator. Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a of the Conservation Law as amended by Law 32/2024 prohibits the act of hunting, capturing, injuring, killing, storing, possessing, maintaining, transporting, and/or trading protected animals while alive.

If the act is proven to fulfill the prohibited elements, the perpetrator can face criminal threats under Article 40A paragraph (1) letter d of Law 32/2024. The punishment is no longer limited to five years in prison and a fine of Rp100 million like the old regime, but rather imprisonment for a minimum of three years and a maximum of 15 years, as well as a fine of at least Rp200 million and a maximum of Rp5 billion.

However, law enforcement must still be carried out proportionally. Video virality does not automatically replace the evidentiary process. Conservation officers and authorities still need to assess whether the action actually caused disturbance, injury, severe stress, or other forms of threats to protected animals.

If the perpetrator is still classified as a child, the criminal liability mechanism refers to Law Number 11/2012 on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System. A child in conflict with the law is a child aged 12 years but not yet 18 years who is suspected of committing a criminal offense. For children under 12 years old, the handling is not directed at punishment, but rather at returning to parents / guardians or coaching programs in accordance with applicable regulations.

This event serves as a reminder that tourism should not just be oriented towards thrills and content. Nature tourism demands basic knowledge, discipline, and respect for the ecosystem. Sea turtles that come to the beach are not to be touched, ridden, or made a spectacle of, but should be given space to return to their habitat undisturbed.

Protecting wildlife is not just the job of the government or conservation officers. Communities, tourists, destination managers and content creators also have the same responsibility. Respecting sea turtles means respecting marine life and the sustainability of ecosystems that are an important part of Indonesia's environment.