KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A tourist has been slammed for holding a protected turtle species in order to take a photo with it at an island, believed to be Semporna, Sabah, reported Sin Chew Daily.

The photo, together with others including that of an unidentified tourist putting a clown fish and puffer fish on his palm, has gone viral on social media, it reported.

It also reported that the tourist was likely to be someone who had purchased a package with Singamata Reef Resort as the resort's logo was seen on the boat.

When contacted, the resort's managing director Rodney Tong said it was believed that the man had bought the package from them on March 28.

Tong said his resort had tried to contact the tourist through an agent company to find out the details.

The resort added that it viewed the matter seriously and said action would be taken against its staff if they were found to be involved in the incident that could harm the sea creatures.

Sabah Wildlife Department director William Baya said his department had started investigating the case after receiving complaints.