COLLIER COUNTY — An endangered leatherback sea turtle made a rare stop on a Collier County beach Monday morning.

The turtle, which weighed between 500 and 600 pounds, was discovered around 7:30 a.m. disorientated on the beach at Delnor-Wiggins State Park, according to Collier County Parks and Recreation officials.

It is the first time a leatherback sea turtle has been spotted on Collier’s shores, said Maura Kraus, principal environmental specialist with Collier County Parks and Recreation.

The adult female turtle was believed to be from Costa Rica because she had a metal tag on her rear leg flipper, officials said.

Officials believe the turtle may have started a nest on the beach. Kraus said the turtle made a circular orientation, which is a large area of disturbed sand that leatherbacks create after nesting, possibly to throw off predators.

“To the best of our knowledge, we haven’t had a nesting (of a leatherback turtle) in Collier,” Kraus said.

If it was laying a nest, it was a few months early — leatherback nesting season begins in March.

Around 10 a.m. officials used shovels to guide the turtle back to the water. However, it turned back toward the shore. Mote Marine Lab officials in Sarasota were called to aid in the rescue.

Around 11 a.m., the turtle crept back into the water and swam out of sight.

The turtle may have been affected by the cold weather, Kraus said.

“We just hope that she doesn’t come back,” Kraus said.

The turtle’s shell was 57 inches wide and officials believe it may have been injured on shore. Kraus said she believed the turtle was healthy and had superficial cuts on its flippers.

An area on the beach was marked off.

Several spectators snapped pictures of the gigantic sea turtle.

“It was magnificent,” said Rich Severini, 55, who was visiting Naples from Boston. “It’s a once in a lifetime chance to see something like that.”

Canadian residents Douglas Ramsden and his wife, Sandra added that they were pleased with the environmental support.

Officials in both Collier and Lee counties were watching the beaches to make sure the turtle didn’t come ashore again.

“We aren’t sure what was wrong with her or if there was anything wrong with her, but it’s just not normal for them to be crawling around on the beach in January,” Kraus said.

Connect with Tracy X. Miguel at www.naplesnews.com/staff/tracy_x_miguel/

Source: Naples Daily News