Five rare leatherback turtles were spotted swimming near Mount Maunganui, Tauranga.
Local wildlife photographer Nathan Pettigrew captured clear, close-up images of the turtles just 1.5 kilometres from shore. He shared the photographs with the Department of Conservation (DoC) to help scientists learn more about these unusual visitors.
Mr Pettigrew said he has seen leatherback turtles each year for the past six years, but never so many together at once. He rushed back towards shore after receiving a call from a tour company, and was amazed to find five leatherbacks swimming near sunfish with Mount Maunganui in the background. He described the sight as incredible.
Dr Karen Middlemiss, a senior marine science adviser at DoC, said it is very rare to see five leatherbacks together. These turtles usually live alone and only gather in groups when feeding or near nesting beaches. They do not nest in New Zealand.
Leatherbacks are the largest turtles in the world and can grow as big and heavy as a small car. The turtles seen here belong to the critically endangered Western Pacific population. Each summer, some travel long distances from California to waters near New Zealand, where they feed on jellyfish and other jelly-like sea creatures.
Scientists hope to attach satellite tags to some turtles to track their movements. Seaweek, New Zealand’s annual celebration of the sea, began on 28 February and runs until 6 March. Experts are encouraging people to report any turtle sightings to help protect these amazing ocean animals.
