Rare leatherback sea turtle seen away from BC coast
The BC Nurse has documented a huge sea turtle floating on the banks of the Hada Gwai from the North -West Coast of BC, which is being observed by conservation experts, as the leatherback sea turtle is severely in danger in Canada.
Victoria Bradshow, who works as a nurse in a remote fishing lodge on Heda Gwai, was out on July 14 with his colleague Anadan Horn on a fishing in water near the island near Langara Island, when he popped up some with water.
Bradshow said, “I immediately thought of the sea lion just because we see them often, and Aiden, which I was together, announced, ‘it’s not a sea lion. It’s not a sea lion. It’s a sea tortoise,” Bradshaw said.
“We dropped everything, and I grabbed my phone and this very big creature decided to hang out with us for a while.”
A Heda Gwai woman was treated for a rare vision of a leatherback marine turtle, one of the most elusive giants in the ocean. Victoria Bradshow, who saw it, spoke to CBC News.
Bradshow said he was surprised how spacious the animal was, it was estimated between six and eight feet (1.8–2 the meter in size). First of all, Bradshow says that he had no idea how rare it was to spot the leatherback sea turtle, especially on the coast of BC.
“I did not know that this was an option for my bucket list, but obviously it was.”
Leatherbacks are the largest turtles in the world, but are severely endangered. According to the department of fisheries and oceans, only 149 unique views of sea turtles have been seen on the coast of BC since 1931.
Jackie Hildering, a communication and education director of the Marine Education and Research Society, said, “Leatherback sea turtles are away from the coast of British Columbia, but they are rare.”
Hildering states that they are the only marine turtles capable of suiting cold water and traveled thousands of kilometers from distance as Indonesia to feed on BC jellyfish.
Radio westRare Leatherback Turtle Handy Watching from Gwai
Jackie Hilding with Marine Education and Research Society explains why scenes of leatherback turtle are rare in BC
“Amidst the amazing conversions of these living dinosaurs, it is that they can actually deal with a wide range of temperatures,” he said.
Leatherback marine turtles are recognized in Canada as being threatened and preserved under species in the Risk Act.
Hildering states that only five percent of the Pacific population are left out only, and their dangers for their survival include fishing gear, collision with boats and plastic pollution.
“You may not know that these surprisingly optimized dinosaurs are your sea neighbor, but your day-to-day action affects them,” he said.
Bradshow said that she looks at a lot of wildlife while staying at Heda Gwai, but was spotted by spotting a leatherback turtle.
“This animal was very healthy and safe and was just enjoying his life. It was just so magical,” Brash said.
“I think our water is a little more about how important it is for such different marine mammals and every creature, about which we do not even know. It is just important that we protect them and recognize that when we really achieve those special moments.”
Hildering asks those who ask to report a marine turtle on 1-866-472-9663 or to go to Canadian Marine Turtle Network Online,
