Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@amberturnerx
Topics: Animals, Celebrity, Towie, ITV, TV And Film, Reality TV
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Animals, Celebrity, Towie, ITV, TV And Film, Reality TV
The Only Way Is Essex star Amber Turner has today found herself in hot water with her huge online following, after being accused of permitting animal cruelty.
The reality TV bombshell has been residing in the Indonesian hotspot of Bali in recent weeks, whilst filming the latest series of her ITVBe hit.
On the series so far, we've seen 30-year-old Amber attempt to put on a brave face whilst her long-term former flame Dan Edgar gets cosy with new beau, Ella Rae Wise.
The couple left their fans reeling in May last year after calling time on their often-fiery relationship, after more than six years together.
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During their romance, the Essex duo shacked up together in England's southeast and even went on to purchase a gorgeous pet dog together, which they named Oliver.
In the wake of their emotional separation, therefore, TOWIE fans failed to expect that either Amber or Dan would find someone new for a while.
Little did they know, however, that Dan always harboured a hidden soft spot for the pair's co-star Ella, with whom he's been locking lips and sharing the night since the group arrived in Bali for the latest stint.
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It's not just the fact that her ex-boyfriend's brand new romance is unfolding right under her nose that has left Amber feeling sorry for herself this week, however.
That's because since Monday (1 April) - after sharing a rather controversial snap standing beside an elephant - the blonde beauty has faced some major backlash from her followers.
In the eyebrow-raising image, the TV-favourite can be seen showing off her impressive physique in a white, crochet bikini cover-up, as she poses beside the colossal animal, wrapping her hands around its trunk.
Sadly, however, the elephant's partially severed tusks - which are actually its enlarged teeth - are on full display.
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These features are supposed to continue growing on the animal throughout its entire life, but will immediately stop once they've been cut - something that often happens to elephants that are housed in 'captive elephant facilities'.
Animal charity The Call To Conserve explain on their site: "This is the process of trimming the sharp tip of the tusk so that the edge is squared off. This makes the elephant slightly safer to be around as they cannot stab another animal with the pointed edge of the tusk.
"The process of blunting or trimming a tusk is not painful because there are no blood vessels or nerves in the external portion of the tusk. Therefore, a decent amount of the tooth can be trimmed before causing any discomfort to the animal."
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That said, however, this type of animal treatment - particular in South East Asia - demonstrates in many cases that the elephants are enduring maltreatment.
It's no surprise, therefore, that Amber has come under fire from followers accusing her of advocating animal cruelty.
"That poor elephant has had its tusks sawn off and is being exploited for your entertainment. You were posing with a slave!" one hit out in the comments.
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Another asked: "Why are the end of the tusks cut off? [crying emoji]".
Others, however, came to the defence of the on-screen star, with one suggesting that the elephant may have been suffering an infection, and a fourth speculating that he could have endured a different medical issue.
Tyla has contacted Amber's representatives for comment.