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.