Mammoth leatherback turtle dies on Sydney beach

Beachgoers have been shocked after the rare animal’s dead body had to be taken off the beach by a digger.

The huge turtle washed up on Whale Beach on Sunday. Picture: Lauren Ling

The body of a huge and rare turtle has washed up on a Sydney beach.

The leatherback turtle was found by beachgoers at Whale Beach on Sunday. Video of its body being removed shared online.

The animal was so large that authorities needed to bring in a digger to remove it from the sand.

The huge turtle washed up on Whale Beach on Sunday. Picture: Lauren Ling

Locals who saw the turtle’s body being taken off the beach were told it would have an necropsy to determine how it died.

Leatherbacks are the world’s largest species of turtle and can reach up to 1.8m long and 500kg.

They can also live up to 90 years, according to the CSIRO.

There are concerns that the turtle could have been caught up in a shark or fishing net that contributed to its death.

Leatherback turtles can weigh up to 500 kgs, meaning a tractor was required to remove the animal. Picture: Lauren Ling

It’s not the first time such a large turtle has washed up on a NSW beach, with six leatherbacks found dead on the NSW Central Coast and another found in a shark net last year.

The species has seen a decline in the past 100 years and are now listed as vulnerable.

The loss of numbers is attributed to egg collection by humans and the animals being caught up in fishing nets.

Taronga Zoo, which is believed to be performing the necropsy, has been contacted for comment.

Viewers were horrified at the death of such a large turtle.

“Looks like this ancient beauty has passed,” one said.