Discover why this massive, deep-diving sea turtle that survived the demise of dinosaurs is now struggling to survive the threats of humans. However, this incredible adaption has meant that they face increasing threats from marine litter such as plastic bags, which can be easily mistaken for jellyfish or balloons, and can also become trapped in their throats. Giant Sea Turtle, also called a Leatherback, is the largest of all living turtles. Their large size makes them opportunistic in selecting a nesting beach. Leatherback turtles come to nest on the French Guiana coasts almost all year, but there are two main seasons, the big one from April to August and the smaller one from November to January. Because of the severity of this turtle wound, experts did not take specimen samples. The Leatherback Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the leatherback sea turtle. Turtle feeding grounds such as coral reefs and sea grass beds are also damaged and destroyed by activities onshore, such as sedimentation from clearing of land and nutrient run-off from agriculture. The research has advanced understanding of resident and migratory species. Diver attempts to rescue a leatherback turtle caught in a net. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. The eviscerated sea turtle carcass, which stretched more than two meters in length and likely weighed more than 500 pounds, was spotted by residents walking the rocky shoreline over the weekend and reported to Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the federally-mandated responder to all stranded sea turtles in southeastern Massachusetts. 6. It was truly a once in a lifetime moment for all of us on board. Leatherbacks spend almost all of their time in the ocean with females only coming to shore to lay eggs. The migratory and pelagic lifestyle of the leatherback turtle makes it extremely difficult to investigate the ecology of this species at sea, which in turn hinders the conservation of this reptile at a global scale. Sea turtles are dependent on beaches for nesting. spiny barbs in the oesophagus to trap their slippery prey. These conservation efforts often lead to ecotourism opportunities and offer alternative livelihoods for local communities. we’re still waiting for more info.”. Leatherbacks spend most of their lives at sea and sometimes look for prey in coastal waters. They have existed in their current form since the age of the dinosaurs. A rare leatherback turtle was spotted by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. Jellyfish make up the biggest portion of their diet, but they also eat seaweed, fish, crustaceans, and other marine invertebrates. We run an international competition called Smart Gear to attract creative new ways to solve bycatch problems and to advance those ideas. 1250 24th Street, N.W. The species could experience a 96 percent population loss by 2040. In 2012 Australia created the world’s largest network of sanctuaries. This means that they are able to forage in temperatures lower than 5, celcius. Leatherback turtles have sharp jaws that help tear through their gelatinous prey, such as jellyfish and salps.1. Pacific leatherbacks migrate from nesting beaches in the Coral Triangle all the way to the California coast to feed on the abundant jellyfish every summer and fall. Naturally, only one or two of thousands of eggs will make it to adulthood. Pacific populations have declined over the last twenty years from overharvesting and interactions with fisheries. Leatherbacks have been documented diving deeper than 4,000 feet (1,200 meters). Its distinguishing feature is its carapace, which has a smooth, leathery skin that covers a flexible matrix of bone. Adult leatherbacks have few natural predators, but their eggs and newborns are preyed upon by many animals, including birds, raccoons, and crabs. Our mission is to promote the conservation of leatherbacks and other turtles at risk of extinction. The first record of their existence dates to the beginning of the Mesozoic Era, a period that began 225 million years ago and ended 65 million years ago, during which life flourished on our planet and on land.