The Nigerian social media space has been buzzing over the last few hours after a video of a massive sea animal was brought ashore by some Ìlàjẹ́ fishermen.

According to reports and the interaction which could be inferred from the conversation in the viral video, a Leatherback turtle was caught by some Ilaje fishermen off the Nigerian coastline.

This isn’t the first time such sea life has gone viral after some Nigerian fishermen caught it. However, there’s been outrage on social media regarding the Leatherback Turtle, which recently became an internet sensation.

Popular social media influence and wildlife enthusiast, Arojinle, has spoken against the capture of the Leatherback Turtle. He noted that the continued capture and killing of this rare breed is dangerous to our waterways and the maintenance of a balanced sea life hierarchy.

He noted that Leatherback Turtle feeds on Jellyfish which helps control the population explosion of the dangerous electric sea life. Arojinle further explained that this wasn’t the first time clips of Leatherbacks getting caught and butchered would go viral, and it is becoming scary.

Arojinle calls for the protection of our wildlife creatures

In his reaction to the viral video of the Leatherback Turtle, Arojinle called for better protection of our wildlife and underwater creatures. He noted that if drastic measures are not taken to protect these wildlife creatures they will go extinct the same way Rhinoceros, Giraffes and Cheetahs can no longer be found in Nigerian forests/savannahs.

Read an excerpt of Arojinle’s post below:
“This video of a leatherback turtle caught most likely in one of the Ìlàjẹ́ communities is going around. I know there’s poverty and hardship in the land but we need to protect our wildlife. If these leatherback turtles go extinct, these same people will feel it most. Do you know why? Majority of them are fishermen. Leatherback turtles feed mostly on jellyfish. So, they control their population. If the jellyfish population is left uncontrolled, their population will explode and they will compete with fishes for their food on a large scale. When fishes have no food, their population decreases. All our actions/inactions have impacts and consequences on nature. Guess what? We’re part of nature.”

Below is the viral video of the 600-pound Leatherback turtle:

This video of a leatherback turtle caught most likely in one of the Ìlàjẹ́ communities is going round. I know there's poverty and hardship in the land but we need to protect our wildlife.

If these leatherback turtles go extinct, these same people will feel it most. You know… pic.twitter.com/pJhtBzhRg5

— Arojinle (@arojinle1) January 17, 2025

Reactions trail viral video of Leatherback Turtle

See some of the comments that trailed the viral clip:

@its_suzannie:
“Turtles are this big?”

@zz___blank:
“If I didn’t hear it from you I would have argued Nigeria never had Rhinos.”

@_crazy_but_true:
“I’m curious but how “WILL THEY FEEL IT THE MOST?” if it goes extinct.”

@iamcalcox:
“This leatherback is worth $450,000.”

@nuggetman1_:
“This is a lot of meat wow.”

@thebeeperfumery:
“This ain’t no about poverty, it’s about traditions & what the locals deemed ethical.”

@Iammikeetim1:
“Wow, I’ve not seen this kind of turtle before.”

@afolabiolamide8:
“First time I am seeing this… Nature is indeed beautiful.”

@king__lekan:
“The turtle is worth $275,000 They shouldn’t release it back Into the water either.”

@chidinduAriwodo:
“Nigerians are consumers, we eat everything both seed and harvest. We don’t believe in conservation; only a re-orientation can change us.”