Green sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act. A photo recently posted on social media showing a sea turtle with its shell removed has led state officials to emphasize the proper avenues for reporting crimes against wildlife. The Maui News archive photo/Matthew Thayer

Editor’s note: This report contains an image that may be disturbing to viewers.

State officials say they are struggling to verify a photograph posted on a Hawai’i-based Facebook page that shows a sea turtle with the top half of its shell missing.

According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the individual who posted the image of the turtle reports to walk Hau Bush beach in ‘Ewa Beach on Oahu daily.

However, because the incident was not reported to state wildlife officials directly, the department says it’s been difficult for officers to build a case and pursue prosecution. As a result, state officials are encouraging residents to know the proper reporting procedures.

Green sea turtles are protected and listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. People who report violations by phone or on the app can remain anonymous.

“We have the DLNR TipApp which allows people who see suspected violations to report them when they see them,” Chief Jason Redulla of the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement said in a news release. “Witness information and photographs can help us investigate a case and potentially bring charges.”

This image provided by the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources showing a green sea turtle with its shell removed was posted on Facebook. DLNR Courtesy photo

According to Brian Neilson, administrator of the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, with social media posts, there’s often simply not enough information to conduct thorough investigations.

“We really need everyone’s kōkua to find people who are committing crimes against our protected marine species,” Neilson said.

DLNR, FWS and NOAA are encouraging people who spend time in and around the ocean to download the free reporting application and to input reporting hotlines into their phone’s contacts list.

To report suspected violations, people can download the DLNRTip App on their Apple and Android devices. Additionally, DLNR maintains a 24-hour hotline people can call at 808-643-DLNR. Other resources include the FWS Hotline (1-844-FWS-TIPS) and website at fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips as well as the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline (888-256-9840).

“Most of these egregious violations that we become aware of through social media channels, rarely have the necessary information, so we can’t even know where to begin looking,” Redulla said. “Without the perpetrator coming forward and self-reporting, or without a specific location, date and time, our hands are unfortunately tied.”