Endangered giant leatherback turtle spotted off Devon coast in ‘incredible' sighting
A LEATHERBACK turtle swaps tropical waters to prey on jellyfish off Devon.
The 7ft reptile was spotted gliding past Petra and Mike Threlfall's boat on Wednesday.
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Petra, who was also with daughter Molly just 550 yards from Branscombe, said: 'We saw an unusual movement and thought it was a dolphin at first.
'But when its head popped up, it was clearly much bigger. We were so shocked when we realised it was a leatherback turtle.
'We turned off the engine and he was so inquisitive, swimming about and eating jellyfish.
'One movement of his huge flippers and he was gone.'
Petra, of Taunton, Somerset, added: 'We feel so lucky to have seen it up so close.'
Charlie Hankin saw the turtle 200 yards off Seaton, describing the encounter as 'incredible'.
Leatherbacks are usually found in the Caribbean, Med and Canaries.
But with sea temperatures rising, this one ventured much farther north.
They are the largest turtles at 7ft and 2,000lb and take their name from their dark, leather-like skin.
They can regulate their bodies to maintain heat in colder waters where there are plenty of jellyfish.
Some subspecies are critically endangered.
Giant leatherback turtle is rescued by bigger near Catalan City, Spain
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