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'Rare visitor': Wildlife officials ask boaters to be aware of leatherback turtles on South Texas coast

"We are not sure why there is a sudden presence of this species," officials at the ARK UT Marine Science Institute said.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) at the UT Marine Science Institute is warning boaters to watch for leatherback turtles in area waters after at least three were hit with boat propellers near the ship channel recently. 

Leatherback turtles are not often found here. It is a "rare visitor to the Texas Gulf Coast", according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. 

The Padre Island National Seashore said the last documentation of a leatherback turtle there was back in 2008.

"Please be aware that there is a possibility of more in the area!" a post by the ARK said.  

Andrew Orgill  the ARK said boats are especially dangerous to leatherbacks due to their soft shell and said "boat contact may be more detrimental to this species."

"With those big propeller wounds, I mean, realistically, rehabilitating them is very difficult to impossible," he said.

Leatherbacks range between 500-1,500 pounds, are black in color, and have a long, leathery shell with ridges. Their giant size is hard to miss, since they are the largest sea turtles in the world. 

Credit: Peppermint Narwhal

Texas State Aquarium President Jesse Gilbert said even with the space they have at their new Wildlife Rescue Center, large leatherbacks would struggle to be rehabilitated, since they don't do well in captivity.

"To find multiple in a very short amount of time is significantly rare. I've been in Corpus Christi for about 20 years and I can count on one hand the number of times leatherbacks have really kind of come in with some regularity," he said.

As part of the Sea Turtle Stranding Network, Gilbert said TSA is ready to help with the leatherback situation. He said this comes as reports of loggerhead sea turtle stranding's are increasing, so they're preparing the facility for a large number of turtles.

"It's interesting that you're seeing an increase in both species at the same time, so something we definitely need to keep out eyes on and be prepared, and that's what this center does. It's ready to go when the need is there," he said.

If you find one injured or deceased anywhere in Texas, you are asked to call 1-866-TURTLE5.  

The leatherback is one of the largest living reptiles, surpassed in size only by some species of crocodiles, according to TPWD.  They live at least 30 years, and up to 50 years or more. Unlike most sea turtles, which nest in the spring and summer, leatherbacks usually nest in fall and winter.  

They are listed as an endangered species.

PSA! ⚠️ In the last two weeks, we have seen three Leatherback Sea Turtles in fairly fresh condition which have...

Posted by Amos Rehabilitation Keep - ARK at UT Marine Science Institute on Tuesday, June 6, 2023

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