Turtle badly injured after tourists drag it for sea for sick selfies

AN ENDANGERED turtle has been left with terrible injuries after it was allegedly dragged from the sea by cruel tourists who wanted to take photos.

AN ENDANGERED turtle has been left with terrible injuries after reportedly being dragged from the sea by tourists who wanted to take photos.

According to The Mirror, the images show the animal being dragged around and stepped on by children and adults on a beach in Lebanon.

Animal protection group Animals Lebanon posted a video of the sea turtle being treated by vets after the incident.

‘Dying for a selfie???’ they wrote of Facebook.

“This sea turtle was dragged from the water south of Beirut, used so people could take selfies, and repeatedly hit on the head.

An endangered turtle is fighting for life after allegedly being dragged from the sea by tourists, stepped on and beaten. Picture: Greenarea.me

‘Animals Lebanon is assisting the Ministry of Agriculture and Civil Defence to make sure this sea turtle does not die from this unnecessary, avoidable, and illegal cruelty.

‘The turtle has been given antibiotics and she is being taken for x-ray of her head.

‘The damage is visible and evident - the blows and trauma she suffered have broken through the top of her head, and water from the sea has reached her sinus cavities.

‘Hopefully the X-rays can rule out further damage and that the blows did not affected deeper into the skull.

“We are consulting with the International Zoo Veterinary Group experts to make sure the turtle gets the necessary care. Check back to see the outcome of the vet visit.’

One of the tourists can be seen picking up the turtle and bringing it onto the sand. Picture: Greenarea.me