World’s largest sea turtle makes rare Tenerife appearance
A rare and spectacular sighting has been reported off the southwest coast of Tenerife: a giant leatherback turtle, the largest species of sea turtle in the world. The enormous reptile was spotted by observers aboard the Bonadea II, leaving the crew and passengers astonished.
This particular one is estimated to measure over two metres in length and weigh more than 500 kilos, making it a true giant of the oceans.
Unlike most sea turtles, the leatherback does not have a hard shell covered in scales. Instead, it has a dark, leathery skin with distinctive ridges running from head to tail, a unique adaptation that allows it to travel thousands of kilometres across open oceans with remarkable speed and endurance.
Although leatherbacks typically remain far from shore, they sometimes pass through Canary Islands waters as part of their long journeys across the ocean.
They feed almost exclusively on jellyfish, helping to control their numbers, which is an increasingly important role as jellyfish blooms become more common due to climate change and overfishing.
The leatherback turtle is listed as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List, facing threats from accidental capture in fishing gear, ingestion of plastic waste mistaken for prey, and the loss of nesting beaches to coastal development.
While the sighting has thrilled marine biologists, it also serves as a reminder of the fragility of the species. Conservation programmes in the Canary Islands and around the world are working to protect marine habitats, promote sustainable fishing, and reduce ocean pollution, giving hope that these ancient mariners, which have roamed the seas for more than 100 million years, will continue to survive for generations to come.
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