Reported whale turns out to be turtle

POMPANO BEACH, Fla., April 25 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Florida responding to a call about a whale at a beach said they instead discovered a 400-pound leatherback sea turtle.

Pompano Beach Fire Rescue said dispatchers received a call Tuesday about a large animal believed to be a while in the water at Southeast Eighth Street and firefighters arrived to discover the massive turtle swimming in the water, WPLG-TV, Miami, Fla., reported Wednesday.

Witnesses said the turtle climbed onto the shore and buried 40 to 50 eggs about 4 feet deep in the sand before returning to the water.

Fire rescue officials said the area was cordoned off to protect the turtle's offspring.