Turtle found covered in writing on Busan coast draws outrage from experts

A large turtle covered in writing on its shell was found along a Busan coastline, drawing sharp criticism from experts who suspect the animal is an invasive species and warn that scrawling on a live turtle's shell — as well as releasing it without authorization — may constitute animal abuse.

According to Yonhap, the turtle, measuring about 30 centimeters in length, was discovered Sunday morning around 7 a.m. in a drainage ditch in front of a cafe near a resort in Gijang-gun, Busan.

The animal was first spotted by a local resident identified only by the surname Kim, 70, who was taking a walk in the area.

"It was easily over 30 centimeters long," Kim said. "Its shell was covered in white writing — home addresses, wishes, people's names — so it appeared someone had released it intentionally."

Kim added that he had returned home without immediately reporting the find, and when he went back to the scene several hours later, the turtle was already gone.

Experts who reviewed photos of the scene said the turtle is likely a non-native species that could disrupt the local ecosystem.

Shim In-seop, head of the animal protection group Life, said the turtle appeared to have been chosen as a substitute for the soft-shelled turtle, which is more commonly used in release rituals but has become harder to obtain. "Ecologically disruptive species must not be released indiscriminately," he said.

Releasing an ecologically disruptive organism into rivers, reservoirs or coastal areas without authorization can result in fines or criminal penalties under the Act on the Conservation and Use of Biological Diversity and related laws. Non-native species pose a significant risk of threatening indigenous wildlife and destabilizing local ecosystems.

Experts also cautioned that writing on a turtle's shell is far from a trivial matter. The shell is not a simple outer casing but living tissue connected to nerves and blood vessels; paint or oil-based markers can irritate the skin or cause bacterial infections. There is also a risk of injury when strong solvents are used to remove the markings.

Scrawling on or attaching decorations to a live animal could be deemed abuse under the Animal Protection Act if it causes unnecessary pain or stress, experts said. They particularly stressed that using animals as objects of wishes or religious release rituals harms not only animal welfare but also the broader ecosystem, and urged the public to refrain from the practice.

As cases mount of well-intentioned releases damaging ecosystems or endangering animals, calls are growing to discourage indiscriminate release practices. Experts advised that when members of the public encounter a wild animal, the best course of action is to report it to local authorities or a wildlife rescue organization rather than attempting to move or release it themselves.