Advertisement

Whale watchers rescue massive leatherback turtle bound by kelp

By Ben Hooper
A massive leatherback turtle tangled in kelp off the California coast. Screenshot: Storyful
A massive leatherback turtle tangled in kelp off the California coast. Screenshot: Storyful

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

DANA POINT, Calif., April 19 (UPI) -- The crew of a California whale watching rescued a massive leatherback turtle that was being restrained by a "huge string of kelp."

The video, posted to YouTube by DANAPOINTWHALEWATCH, shows the crew of the San Mateo discover the giant leatherback swimming near their boat while they were out searching for false killer whales.

Advertisement

Crew member Jason Kunewa takes the GoPro camera into the water with him while he investigates what "first looked like a sea monster."

Kunewa is able to cut the leatherback free from "a huge string of kelp" that was "wrapped around its left flipper and neck."

The post said Kunewa estimated the turtle was as long as his human helper and probably weighed about 700 pounds.

Latest Headlines