Elizabeth Hurley has been slammed by fans for posing in a holiday picture holding ‘delicate’ starfish.
The actress, 56, showed off her incredible physique in a blue bikini recently but many have called her out for taking the animals out of the water as they could die.
According to World Animal Protection you should never touch or remove a starfish from the water, as this could lead to them suffocating.
Oh dear: Elizabeth Hurley has been slammed by fans for posing in a holiday picture holding ‘delicate’ starfish
In addition sunscreen or the oil on human skin can harm sea creatures as every starfish is made up of soft and thin tissue and they can be highly contaminated with bacteria passed on through human touch.
During the sun-soaked holiday Elizabeth took great pride in sharing a photo of her ‘rescuing’ the two starfish.
‘Found these magnificent starfish, alive but stranded, on the beach — they’re now happily back at the bottom of the sea,’ she boasted on Instagram.
One disgruntled fan wrote: ‘They are extremely delicate and most likely won’t survive once you take them out of the sea and manipulate them.’
Sad: The actress, 56, showed off her incredible physique in a blue bikini recently but many have called her out for taking the animals out of the water as they could die
Another remarked: ‘You just killed those stars.’
‘You just killed those stars by taking them out of the water,’ a third commented.
‘Careful, certain starfish die when you touch them,’ a fourth added.
According to James Cook University marine biologist Professor Morgan Pratchett the starfish in question appear to be the Red Cushion Sea Star (Oreaster reticulatus).
Reaction: One disgruntled fan wrote: ‘They are extremely delicate and most likely won’t survive once you take them out of the sea and manipulate them’
‘It is not uncommon for them to be washed up on a beach,’ he told news.com.au.
‘It’s unlikely that they would die from being out of the water for a few minutes, but it does depend how long the starfish were out of the water /stranded on the beach.’
A representative for Elizabeth has been contacted by MailOnline for a comment.
Elizabeth slipped into a tiny blue string bikini for the snap, which revealed her ample cleavage and honed abs as she posed with the starfish.
Special: According to James Cook University marine biologist Professor Morgan Pratchett the starfish in question appear to be the Red Cushion Sea Star (Oreaster reticulatus)
The star wore her tresses in an updo and sported a chic pair of shades, while showing off her glowing complexion.
It comes after last week Liz shared a gushing tribute to her son Damian as she celebrated his 20th birthday.
The actress took to Instagram with an array of throwback from over the years snaps with her lookalike son.
The pair could be seen as they sweetly smiled for the camera with a young Damian sat on his mums knee.
Alongside the adorable photos Liz penned: ‘Happy 20th Birthday to my little Princling [sic].’
The sweet posts come as the pair continue to grieve following the death of Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne.
Last month, Damian paid tribute to Shane – who was engaged to his mother Elizabeth during their three year relationship – a day after he died of a ‘massive heart’ attack aged 52 while in Thailand.
The model took to Instagram to call the sportsman ‘a father figure’ and ‘one of the best men I’ve ever known’, as he spoke fondly of his mother’s ex following his sudden death.
Cute! It comes after last week Liz shared a gushing tribute to her son Damian as she celebrated his 20th birthday
Damian wrote: ‘I’m still trying to wrap my head around this… SW was a father figure to me for most of my formative years and was truly one the best men I’ve ever known. My heart is broken. Thinking of and sending love to all SW’s family.’
Damian’s biological father, Steve Bing, took his own life in June 2020, jumping from his 27th floor apartment in Los Angeles.
It was revealed last year that Damian would not receive a penny from his late father, after his paternal grandfather fought to overturn the decision to include him in Steve’s will.
Shane, who died suddenly from a heart attack while on a ‘lads’ holiday’, had said to ABC host Leigh Sales that he wanted ‘to become a better person’ when dating Elizabeth back in 2010.
Shane and Elizabeth first got together in late 2010, before he popped the question to the Austin Powers actress in September 2011, but they sadly split in 2013.
He said of the romance in 2018: ‘Who knows what the future holds. There’s a difference between in love with someone and loving someone. I’ll always love Elizabeth but I don’t think we’ll ever get back together.’
Shane’s words came after he branded his romance with Elizabeth as being the ‘happiest time of his life.’
Sad: The sweet posts came as the pair continue to grieve following the death of Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne (Elizabeth and Shane dated from 2010 to 2013)
