Ride the walrus turtle.

I did this once when I was out snorkeling. I think I was thirteen or fourteen at the time, and swimming around off Kailua. A turtle and I crossed paths and I thought it was the neatest thing. So I swam alongside it, eventually just over and behind it, and reached out to "grab" (really, just lightly cling to) the collar of its shell. Swam along with it for a minute or two, until it started heading to the shallows, at which point I just released. He continued on his way, and I got a cool memory out of the deal.

Apparently, I did a horrible thing. But at the time, I was pretty much just curious and entranced by it. Sea turtles are cool.

[troymaclure.jpg]

Gay marriage opponents were right.

Skail: I did this once when I was out snorkeling. I think I was thirteen or fourteen at the time, and swimming around off Kailua. A turtle and I crossed paths and I thought it was the neatest thing. So I swam alongside it, eventually just over and behind it, and reached out to "grab" (really, just lightly cling to) the collar of its shell. Swam along with it for a minute or two, until it started heading to the shallows, at which point I just released. He continued on his way, and I got a cool memory out of the deal.

Apparently, I did a horrible thing. But at the time, I was pretty much just curious and entranced by it. Sea turtles are cool.

Yeah, not supposed to disturb the endangered species.

FTA: Fibropapillomatosis of sea turtles is probably caused by a herpes-type virus


i wonder how a turtle could get herpes?

I'm inclined to believe that O'Brien planned to raise awareness with the riding photo, which appears to have been professionally shot by Brent Bielmann.

I am inclined to believe this asshat through he was above the law.

fark him, throw the book at thim.

Skail: Apparently, I did a horrible thing. But at the time, I was pretty much just curious and entranced by it. Sea turtles are cool

If it was just you it wouldn't be a horrible thing, the thing is though if it is legal for you to do it then it has to be legal for every tourist who goes to hawaii to do it (and likely repeatedly until they get a good photo to show to their friends back home).

Give him a break! He was just searching for his son, Nemo.

Let the turtle representative ride HIM.

It's only fair.

Being stuck on an island with nothing to drink but rum will do that.

Bundy neighbor steve rhoades concurs


/long before you were born there was a TV sitcom called "married with children". this was pre-internet. we watched TV. i have underwear older than you.

Skail: I did this once when I was out snorkeling. I think I was thirteen or fourteen at the time, and swimming around off Kailua. A turtle and I crossed paths and I thought it was the neatest thing. So I swam alongside it, eventually just over and behind it, and reached out to "grab" (really, just lightly cling to) the collar of its shell. Swam along with it for a minute or two, until it started heading to the shallows, at which point I just released. He continued on his way, and I got a cool memory out of the deal.

Apparently, I did a horrible thing. But at the time, I was pretty much just curious and entranced by it. Sea turtles are cool.

I damn near drowned trying to avoid a turtle in Haunoma Bay (Oahu). Little guy kept coming at me, and I had to flail to get out of his way repeatedly.

He was also the single coolest thing I have ever seen with my own eyes. The wife and I have honu stickers everywhere.

heavymetal: [blog.sfgate.com image 640x360]

Apparently the right wingers were correct, legalizing gay marriage will lead to human on turtle action.

FTFY. Also, came here to post something similar.

So is he trying to raise awarness of sea herpes...or spread it?

I seriously doubt that momentarily 'riding' a turtle (or dolphin, whale...shark, what have you) is that horrible an experience for the animal. It's not like he was donkey punching it. The thing isn't gonna need years of therapy because someone grabbed it's shell. The turtle looked like it didn't even care.

Apparently you are only allowed to molest sea creatures if you do it in the name of science or environmentalism. "It's ok, folks. I'm allowed to do this. I'm a WHALE BIOLOGIST"

Skail: I did this once when I was out snorkeling. I think I was thirteen or fourteen at the time, and swimming around off Kailua. A turtle and I crossed paths and I thought it was the neatest thing. So I swam alongside it, eventually just over and behind it, and reached out to "grab" (really, just lightly cling to) the collar of its shell. Swam along with it for a minute or two, until it started heading to the shallows, at which point I just released. He continued on his way, and I got a cool memory out of the deal.


One cool memory; a lifetime of turtle-herpes.

Was it worth it?

My Dad was a second gen SCUBA diver, from back in the day before certifications, mass appeal, et cetera, and he used to do this all the time. No turtle was ever worse for the wear. I have a very old incriminating pic of it kicking around here somewhere, but the idea of posting it and somehow that coming back to haunt him almost 50 years later doesn't seem like a good idea.

Leave it to the environmental whackos to over-react to anything "ZOMG we must make an example of him!!!1!11ty!" damn legalistic assholes.

Ohlookabutterfly: Apparently you are only allowed to molest sea creatures if you do it in the name of science or environmentalism. "It's ok, folks. I'm allowed to do this. I'm a WHALE BIOLOGIST"

Truth.

thespindrifter: Leave it to the environmental whackos to over-react to anything "ZOMG we must make an example of him!!!1!11ty!" damn legalistic assholes.

I think they should crucify this clown because it is people like him who pushed for laws liek this.

This is like seeing a MADD supporter getting pulled over with .10, claiming they did it to raise awareness.

Link (new window)

thespindrifter: My Dad was a second gen SCUBA diver, from back in the day before certifications, mass appeal, et cetera, and he used to do this all the time. No turtle was ever worse for the wear. I have a very old incriminating pic of it kicking around here somewhere, but the idea of posting it and somehow that coming back to haunt him almost 50 years later doesn't seem like a good idea.

Leave it to the environmental whackos to over-react to anything "ZOMG we must make an example of him!!!1!11ty!" damn legalistic assholes.

Ohlookabutterfly: Apparently you are only allowed to molest sea creatures if you do it in the name of science or environmentalism. "It's ok, folks. I'm allowed to do this. I'm a WHALE BIOLOGIST"

Truth.

Really? How exactly do you know that "no turtle was no worse for the wear?" Did he research to study to see what diseases or reduction in immune function might have happened after he handled them for his own pleasure? As a wildlife biologist, yes, we do get special allowances, just like you can't go hop behind a pharmacy counter to dispense drugs because you take them. There are years of training and education that go into it, which includes knowing how to safely handle these animals (for the animal's safety, mostly), what diseases are out there, etc, etc, and finally, the knowledge that in order to do any study on a listed species there is an extensive permitting promise that must take place.

I was on Kauai for my honeymoon in 2000, the local kids were taking turns riding the turtles the whole time I was there. The turtles would pull them around until they let go and went up for air, and then the turtles would swim back towards the ramp like they were waiting to pick up another kid. Looked pretty cool. I didn't try it but I can see how easily it would happen.

I heard of farking the chicken and screwing the pooch, but "riding" the turtle must be a special brand of lazy

liam76: thespindrifter: Leave it to the environmental whackos to over-react to anything "ZOMG we must make an example of him!!!1!11ty!" damn legalistic assholes.

I think they should crucify this clown because it is people like him who pushed for laws liek this.

This is like seeing a MADD supporter getting pulled over with .10, claiming they did it to raise awareness.

Saaaaaay, you may be onto something there. Discredit the douchebags from within. Ima go join Greenpeace then film myself surreptitiously dumping used motor oil onto snow white baby seals. I'll be an internet star!

wren337: I was on Kauai for my honeymoon in 2000, the local kids were taking turns riding the turtles the whole time I was there. The turtles would pull them around until they let go and went up for air, and then the turtles would swim back towards the ramp like they were waiting to pick up another kid. Looked pretty cool. I didn't try it but I can see how easily it would happen.

Jesus. It's for idiots like this that they make the laws. "Looked pretty cool," huh? They aren't pool toys. Or props.

The_Time_Master: [willvideoforfood.com image 228x247]

gulogulo: Really? How exactly do you know that "no turtle was no worse for the wear?" Did he research to study to see what diseases or reduction in immune function might have happened after he handled them for his own pleasure? As a wildlife biologist, yes, we do get special allowances, just like you can't go hop behind a pharmacy counter to dispense drugs because you take them. There are years of training and education that go into it, which includes knowing how to safely handle these animals (for the animal's safety, mostly), what diseases are out there, etc, etc, and finally, the knowledge that in order to do any study on a listed species there is an extensive permitting promise that must take place.

[rebelyogi.com image 300x367]

Hey, we all have our passions.

gulogulo: thespindrifter: My Dad was a second gen SCUBA diver, from back in the day before certifications, mass appeal, et cetera, and he used to do this all the time. No turtle was ever worse for the wear. I have a very old incriminating pic of it kicking around here somewhere, but the idea of posting it and somehow that coming back to haunt him almost 50 years later doesn't seem like a good idea.

Leave it to the environmental whackos to over-react to anything "ZOMG we must make an example of him!!!1!11ty!" damn legalistic assholes.

Ohlookabutterfly: Apparently you are only allowed to molest sea creatures if you do it in the name of science or environmentalism. "It's ok, folks. I'm allowed to do this. I'm a WHALE BIOLOGIST"

Truth.

Really? How exactly do you know that "no turtle was no worse for the wear?" Did he research to study to see what diseases or reduction in immune function might have happened after he handled them for his own pleasure? As a wildlife biologist, yes, we do get special allowances, just like you can't go hop behind a pharmacy counter to dispense drugs because you take them. There are years of training and education that go into it, which includes knowing how to safely handle these animals (for the animal's safety, mostly), what diseases are out there, etc, etc, and finally, the knowledge that in order to do any study on a listed species there is an extensive permitting promise that must take place.

I would like to know if the turtles feel better knowing that you have a permit that allows you to violate them, stick needles into them, steal their offspring, etc. It's sancimonious pricks like you that killed off all the wolves in Yellowstone, and routinely kill white rhinos by screwing up the sedative dosage.

gulogulo: Jesus. It's for idiots like this that they make the laws. "Looked pretty cool," huh? They aren't pool toys. Or props.

ZOMG BAN ALL HORSEBACK RIDING WE ARE DAMAGING THEMS! EATING BEEF IS CRUELTY TO ANIMALS!!1! KEEPING DOGS AS PETS DESTROYS THEIR NATURAL IMMUNE SYSTEMS AND SEPARATES THEM FROM NATURAL BEHAVIOR! WE ARE RUINING THE WORLD! GAIA WILL KILL US ALL!

If done in respect, and if you pay attention to the natural cues, animals will sometimes ENJOY interacting with humans, even in the wild. Also, if the animal doesn't like it, you better bet your ass they can bite; there have been plenty of Fark threads about what happens when "friendly" dolphins get tired of putting up with humans' antics. There's a right way and a wrong way, and people shouldn't be penalized for doing things the right way.

Humans interact with Manatee in Florida all the time, and as long as they observe and respect personal space, no harm is done. If the animal likes contact, it will make contact, and if it doesn't it will swim away. Sea turtles are no different.

gulogulo:
Jesus. It's for idiots like this that they make the laws. "Looked pretty cool," huh? They aren't pool toys. Or props.

we ride horses, donkeys, large goats, subby's mom, ostriches, elephants, whales etc. why not ride a turtle? as long as you let it breath i don't see any problem with this.

gulogulo:

One bowl of my Grampa's famous turtle soup and I'd bet you would change your tune.

wren337: gulogulo:
Jesus. It's for idiots like this that they make the laws. "Looked pretty cool," huh? They aren't pool toys. Or props.

Was looking for that pic, is hard to surf for pics with iphone while riding in a bumpy school bus down a "road" plowed through the muskeg on our way to work at an oilsands tailings pond barge. Surprised there is a 3G signal here too. Anyways, thanks for the pic, Nathan

Price Roll-back announcement: Wal-Mart has turtle necks on special... three dollars a pound.

Ohlookabutterfly: liam76: thespindrifter: Leave it to the environmental whackos to over-react to anything "ZOMG we must make an example of him!!!1!11ty!" damn legalistic assholes.

I think they should crucify this clown because it is people like him who pushed for laws liek this.

This is like seeing a MADD supporter getting pulled over with .10, claiming they did it to raise awareness.

Saaaaaay, you may be onto something there. Discredit the douchebags from within. Ima go join Greenpeace then film myself surreptitiously dumping used motor oil onto snow white baby seals. I'll be an internet star!

I hope it didnt; come off liek I was trying to discredit peopel who are trying to protect them. They are neat animals and it is easy for us to hurt them.

I just have a problem with hypocrites who want extreme laws like this who thinkt hey shouldn't apply to them.

subtard: WTF is a deep-sea turtle?

Came for world of Warcrack, mount, leaving disappoint.

Clearly it's a classic homage: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Turtle_boy_love_sta tue.jpg