Petition: Hold YouTuber Accountable For Driving on Protected Beach During Sea Turtle Nesting Season

In early May, YouTuber Jake Paul posted a video of him and his friends supposedly driving on a protected Puerto Rican beach. Because sea turtles nest in the sand of many Puerto Rican beaches, driving on them is often illegal. The video has since been deleted and an investigation is currently underway.

In Puerto Rico, sea turtles nest between February and August. Thus, Paul seems to have been driving on the beach right in the middle of nesting season and could have crushed countless eggs. The investigation will provide more information on which beach he drove on, what the laws were there, and what turtles may have been harmed.

Fans and social media users were quick to call out Paul’s reckless behavior, using the hashtag “#JakePaulGoHome.” Those who are close to Paul told TMZ that Paul saw other people driving on the sand and thus, assumed it was legal. They also claimed that he “is a huge animal lover and would never intentionally do anything to harm any species out there.” Jake’s brother, Logan, allegedly posted online saying that he was tired of the criticism and stated that what Jake did was perfectly legal. However, another source argued that his defense is untrue as there are no private beaches in Puerto Rico.

Rafael Machargo, the Environment Secretary in Puerto Rico, released a statement, announcing that he has launched an investigation into the incident. He continued, to explain that violations of the laws that “protect the environment and the species that can nest or live on the beaches” may be met with “fines and other penalties, if applicable.”

Given the YouTuber’s internet popularity, it’s especially important he is held accountable for this action. If he is not, many of his fans will get the same idea and mimic his total disregard for endangered species.  Sign this petition to tell Puerto Rico to charge him for this crime as soon as possible to discourage any more harmful actions!

To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:

• Ban Photos that Glamorize Exotic Animal Ownership on Instagram
• Deplatform Social Media Influencers Lele Pons and Guaynaa for Animal Cruelty
• Take animal abuse and torture videos off of YouTube!
• Ban Instagram Account of Social Media Influencer Who Tattooed Her Cat

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