This is the shocking moment a snorkelling tourist stands on a turtle to ride it like a hoverboard.
The group were paddling off the coast of Lambai Island in Taiwan when the beautiful marine creature swam under them on April 2.
Footage from a swimmer who was in the area at the same time shows how one of the tourists reaches down to stroke the green sea turtle's shell.
He then lowers his feet and stands on the hapless turtle while trying to ride it like a hoverboard.
The abused turtle appears to be in distress as it uses its flippers to support itself against a nearby rock.
Marco Weizhong, who recorded the video on a GoPro underwater camera, can be seen trying to get the attention of the snorkeller to stop him from hurting the turtle.
Marco then swims over and shouts at the tourist while telling him to stop.
The ocean lover said he was shocked to have witnessed the incident and reported it to the Taiwan's Tourism Bureau for investigation.
He said: "I will not stand by and watch this disgusting behaviour. We all need to respect wildlife and protect the environment."
Marco said the tour guide guided his group towards the turtles.
He added: "Not only did tourists touch the turtles, but they even stepped on it with their feet.
"As an ocean lover, I really cannot bare to see this kind of behaviour. I sent a report letter to the government, but I received a notice saying that because it is not an offence actively happening, it will be difficult for them to punish them retrospectively.
"Therefore, I want to try and stop this behaviour through the power of public opinion and call on the public to respect wildlife and protect the ecological environment."
In response to his complaint and outrage in local media, the Marine Patrol Administration later said that they will monitor the area and search for the still-unknown tourist that stood on the turtle.
Under Taiwan's Wildlife Conservation Law, offenders who harass, hunt, or slaughter animals can be imprisoned of up to two years and pay fines up to 300,000 NTD.
