Giant Leatherback Turtle Photo

Photographer’s Note

She came ashore just before midnight. After two hours of egg-laying and moving tons of sand in an attempt to camouflage the nest, she hauled herself back into the surf. These massive turtles (she weighed almost 400 kilos) predate dinosaurs and are truly pelagic turtles being able to live in all the world's oceans including the Arctic and Antarctic. They are particularly susceptible to mortality from ingesting plastics (such as plastic bags) which look a lot like jellyfish, their sole food source. This beautiful animal could be one hundred years old!

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zesopol (284) 2008-12-17 17:02

Hello Dave,

Thanks for sharing this rare photo. Good moment to captured this huge turtle. This kind of turtle we hardly see it underwater. The guy is going to release her, right?

Regards,
Ze'sopol

vinicio (22504) 2009-01-23 14:36

Interesting and beautiful image, of wild nature and human care, good idea and photo, well done Dave, compliments.
Ciao
Vinicio