"Clackmannanshire"
Page last revised:
14th September 2004
To aid you in your search for new reports, we've added a quick select menu below.
| DATE: | ANIMAL: | LOCATION: |
| 10th November 2001 | LEATHERBACK TURTLE | Alloa |
Alloa
(Source:
Ananova.com)
LEATHERBACK TURTLE
Rare turtle found on Scottish coast
An endangered turtle rarely seen in British waters has been
found on the Scottish coastline. The leatherback turtle is in an estuary in
Alloa, Clackmannanshire. Animal welfare officers say they are baffled as to
how the 5ft by 4ft turtle came to be in Scottish waters.
A spokeswoman for the animal charity Scottish SPCA said: "We are baffled as to how this turtle came to be here. They are normally only found in much warmer climes such as the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. "We don't know if it lost direction or if this has happened as a result of global warming but it is a rare thing to see."
Animal inspectors called in to monitor the turtle, which weighs half a ton, decided to leave the reptile in the water in the hope that it will make its own way back out to sea. They say they will call in experts from the Marine Life Rescue Association if the reptile needs assistance.
The Scottish SPCA spokeswoman said: "At the moment the turtle is in no danger as it is in water, but it is in fresh water and needs to be in sea water." She added: "Seeing as though they are so rarely seen here, I am sure this turtle is generating a lot of interest in the Alloa area."
The leatherback turtle is the world's largest turtle. Unlike the hard bony shell of other species the carapace of the leatherback is covered with a leathery black or grey-brown skin.
Saturday 10th November 2001
File: 2001-21
Ref
No: 637
N.B. We at Beastwatch UK pride ourselves for trying to write only truthful accounts of all events recorded here, if you know of any reports within these pages to be incorrectely presented then please accept our appologies and contact us immediately letting us know the true facts behind the report, as it is not our intention to write any untruths here.
If you have any further information on any of these, or any other reports for this or other areas, then please let us know
Thank you
Chris Mullins
Co-ordinator
BEASTWATCH UK
info@beastwatch.co.uk