Mermaid Beach turtle: Rare turtle close to 3m long washes up on Gold Coast beach

Sea World are to conduct an autopsy to find the cause of death of a rare turtle that washed up on a Gold Coast beach. SEE THE PICTURES AND VIDEO

• Why Council is cutting down Burleigh pines
• ‘End of an era’ for Holden on Gold Coast

A GIANT leatherback turtle has washed up on Mermaid Beach.

Sea World were notified about the rare turtle on Wednesday around 5.30pm and with light fading they organised for the huge sea animal to be taken away Thursday morning.

The turtle was picked up to be used for further research for a species Sea World turtle specialist Siobhan Houlihan said was rarely seen.

A huge leatherback turtle that washed-up dead at Mermaid Beach. Picture Narelle Bouveng

“Although it’s a tragedy to see sea life washed up on our shores, we’ll use this as a way to educate ourselves further about a turtle species that is rarely seen,” she said.

“Leatherbacks live in the open water and can be found in almost all waters of the world, including in the UK.

“It is very irregular for them to come to coastal waters. This is our first one we’ve seen for 16 years.

“They follow jellies around because they’re their main food source, which is probably why it was around here.”

SHARK FEEDING FRENZY AS DEAD WHALE WASHES UP

Ms Houlihan said it’s a “good chance” this leatherback is the same one that was released from Gold Coast drumlines a few days ago.

Sea World marine scientists will conduct an autopsy on the turtle to see how it died.

The large turtle’s shell was measured at two metre and the whole majestic creature measured just shy of three metres, weighing around 500 kgs.

Eight-year-old Tiah Bouveng looks at a huge leatherback turtle that washed up dead at Mermaid Beach. Picture: Narelle Bouveng.

Mermaid Beach resident Narelle Bouveng brought eight-year-old daughter, Tiah, a marine conservationist in the making, down to the beach on Thursday morning to see the endangered sea creature.

“She thought it was very sad to see a turtle deceased and she’d rather it was out there swimming, but also pretty cool to see one of the most endangered turtles,” she said.

“She thought she’d never get to see a leatherback in the wild.”

SHARK CONTROL STOUSH AHEAD OF SCHOOL HOLIDAYS RUSH

Mrs Bouveng said she overheard authorities commenting on how rare a sight it was and an opportunity for further study.

“Apparently there had been one released from the drumlines earlier – they’re not sure it’s the same one they but kind of have a suspicion it could be,” she said.

Follow @kwizz19