Giant Leatherback Sea Turtle the Size of a Small Car is Freed From Being Entangled in Nets

Turtles of any kind of certainly a waterborne treasure. In the video below, we catch a glimpse of a rare leatherback who’s in need of a helping hand. It begins with a sign that something’s not right – some floating debris has obviously been caught up on a shelled friend. The brave camera crew lets no time go to waste, and they quickly move in to the rescue. Although frightened, the trapped reptile soon realizes that these humans mean no harm and could be the only way out. After a bit of a lengthy tussle, the heroes are capable of freeing the turtle from distress. Once untangled, the graceful critter swims off, gifted with the cooperative experience and hopefully the insight on how to stay safe going forward!

This footage was shot on a seafood farm in Canada, specifically Newfoundland. The location makes sense, as the area overlaps with the extremely broad range of the leatherback turtle. These massive critters are found in most open oceans, except for part of the Indian Ocean and polar zones. You could say these globetrotters get around!

Let’s think twice about littering the oceans, and then dive into the enormous world of the ocean turtles!

Is The Leatherback Sea Turtle Endangered?

Known for being the largest living turtle, the leatherback is unfortunately considered vulnerable by the IUCN. Sadly, their worldwide population is on the decline, with estimates placing their numbers around 35,000 in the wild. Factors like habitat destruction and hunting have made these wonderful swimmers endangered, but adamant conservation is in place. If the oceans are cleaned up, and turtle poachers are brought to an end, the leatherback can once again thrive in nature.

Another interesting fact about these huge reptiles is their surprisingly soft shell. While most turtles have a hardened carapace, they are among the few to lack this feature. The purpose of this adaptation is for protection from intense water pressure found at the depths they cruise at. How’s that for inborn scuba gear?

Can You Swim With Sea Turtles?

If you want to experience these amazing creatures up close, you’re in luck! Coastal regions like Hawaii and Costa Rica may seasonally offer the chance to swim alongside all sorts of critters, turtles included. Don’t worry about any danger from these gentle giants, as they prefer to eat simple: jellyfish are their favorite snack!

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