Former Disney star China McClain under fire about Turtle Video

The former Disney star China Anne McClain came under fire after posting a video of herself in Hawaii, turtles touched.

Newsweek has turned to a representative of McClain and Hawaiis Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) outside of regular working hours.

Why is it important

In Hawaii it is illegal to touch sea turtles because they are protected according to federal and state laws to ensure both their preservation and well-being.

McClain acted in several Disney productions. She played as Chyna Parks in the series Ants And like Uma in the films Descendants 2, offspring 3 And Descendants: the rise of red. She has over 7 million followers on Instagram.

What to know?

The video was shared by McClain on her Instagram and shot by her sister Sierra McClain. In the deleted clip that has now been deleted, she was seen as she touched the turtles.

The video quickly became viral and became online on the subject of criticism and counter reaction.

Before the film material was recorded, the governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, said: “Aloha China, I ask you to find out about Hawaiis laws and the importance of protecting our sea life before we visit our islands.”

The DLNR divided a press release on its Facebook page after the video and the Fallout were published. It was described that McClain, her sister and her father had contacted the DLNR to apologize after the DLNR made several calls and sent and asked e -mails to the McClain sisters and their representatives and asked that the contribution would be removed.

McClain told the DLNR: “I was not fully aware of the situation to this day, and I was certainly not aware of the law. The video dates from two years when we visited Hawai'i and I came across it on my phone and decided to post it.”

Her sister told the DLNR: “We have an immense respect for the residents of Hawai'i and their intention to protect their country and wild animals, and added that they are planning to take the necessary precautionary measures in the future. “

What people say

China Anne McClain told the DLNR: “It is the people I do not want to hurt. I understand that culture respects and I understand the pain that goes hand in hand with that their culture is not respected. These are never lines that we deliberately cross so that part of this situation is at the moment. I adore these beautiful turtles and the people of Hawaii.”

Brian Neilson, DLNR department for water resource administrator, said in a press release: “Although we understand that it was probably not intended, this is not a Pono path to interact with Hawaiian wild animals. We encourage the exchange of positive behavior in social media, to inspire others, to appreciate and protect our beautiful environment.”

What's next

The DLNR advises that when people see turtles, they remain at least 10 feet away from them, avoid touching, hunting, feeding or disturbing adults or young animals, and avoiding the access of the turtles to or from the ocean.

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