Blue Planet Live has come under fire from viewers after the presenter was accused of botching the release of baby sea turtles and allowing one to be eaten by a seagull.

BBC presenter Liz Bonnin was taking part in a sea turtle release on Heron Island, Australia, as part of Sunday night's episode.

As wildlife worker Janine Ferguson tipped six baby green turtles out of a bucket so they could crawl across the white sand to the sea, Ms Bonnin spoke of how important it is to protect the "precious individuals" from predators.

She told the audience that she and Ms Ferguson were giving the animals "a little helping hand."

The presenter explained: "They have no mothers to look after them, they are left to their own devices, to the elements, to the predators that await them and also to ever increasing man made threats."

As she prodded one towards the sea, she said "I hope I was allowed to help it there."