Disney Star China Anne McClain Apologizes for Touching Hawaiian Sea Turtle in Viral Video

The actress removed the video and expressed regret after backlash over her interaction with an endangered species in a two-year-old clip.

China Anne McClain faced criticism after posting a now-deleted video of herself touching a resting sea turtle in Maui, Hawaii, filmed two years ago.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged McClain to learn about local laws protecting marine life and called on her to delete the video, which she promptly did.
McClain apologized, stating she was unaware of the laws and emphasized her respect for Hawaiian culture and wildlife.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources clarified that touching turtles is not automatically illegal unless it harms the animal or alters its behavior.
The incident has sparked discussions on respecting wildlife guidelines, with experts warning against direct contact with sea turtles to avoid disturbance or disease transmission.