Migrating sea creature makes ‘extremely rare' appearance off Canada, video shows
The marine creature — the largest turtle species in the world — was spotted near Langara Island, British Columbia, according to the Marine Education & Research Society (MERS), a Canadian conservation non-profit.
A video posted by the group shows the rotund reptile swimming near the shore, with its head and carapace protruding above the waves.
'Oh my god,' a woman can be heard saying. 'This is the coolest thing I've ever seen.'
The encounter is considered 'extremely rare.'
Just 154 sightings have been made in British Columbia since 1931, according to MERS.
'They travel all the way from Indonesia to feed in B.C. waters,' the group said, adding that, 'They are the only sea turtle species that belongs in our waters and is astoundingly adapted to deal with cold water AND to slurp up jellyfish.'
Leatherbacks are renowned for making the longest migrations of any turtle species, with some traveling an average of 7,400 miles round-trip between their breeding and feeding grounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The ocean giants, which can measure up to 6 feet and weigh up to 1,000 pounds, are classified as endangered. They face threats from fishing gear, habitat loss, vessel strikes and more, according to NOAA.
Only about 5% of the Pacific population is estimated to still survive in the wild, Jackie Hildering, an education director at MERS, told CBC.
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