Authorities in Costa Rica are being pressured to seek the identities of several young men who dragged an endangered green sea turtle from their car, then mutilated the frightened animal while it was still alive.

Video from the cruel and callous act was ultimately posted to Facebook, sparking the public outrage.

Word is the culprits tied the giant animal up by its front flippers after capturing it off the port of Morin in the province of Limon.

Animal Dragged Over Potholes

After flipping the turtle on to its back, the callous youths carted it face first through the rugged terrain behind their vehicle. Soon, the red car speeds off with the animal tied to it, accelerating over several potholes on the mud track before coming to a sudden stop.

From there, the group hosed down the turtle and untied its fins. It's at that point that they callously started to slice and dice up the animal.

Animal activist Alvaro Sagot was among those who looked on the Facebook post with as much outrage as horror.

"Like me, they were left without words or breath, and disillusioned with life, after seeing the footage," he said of those who made him aware of the posting. "It is a lack of respect to different forms of life. The way they mistreat the turtle goes against everything that a civilized country should be."

Sagot also took note of the way youths smiled and laughed as they carried out their dastardly act.

"The youths don't care, they laugh their heads off, they don't care that you can see their faces," he said. "It's shameful."

Act a Chargeable Offense

Sagot went on to assure his social media followers that the act is a criminal offense. He and other animal organizations are now calling on authorities to become involved.

The International Union of Conservation of Nature lists green turtles as an endangered, making it illegal to "collect, harm or kill them."

Violations are punishable by up to three years in jail.

Related