Leatherback Turtle

Leatherback turtles are the largest sea turtles and visit New Zealand to feed rather than breed. Their black, flexible shell carries seven strong lengthwise ridges instead of hard scutes. The enormous dark body, pale spotting and ridged leathery carapace distinguish a leatherback from every hard-shelled sea turtle. Its front flippers are exceptionally long and lack claws.

Records occur around the New Zealand coast as far south as Fiordland, with a feeding hotspot in the outer Bay of Plenty and East Cape region. Southwest Pacific females nest in northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. Leatherbacks cross the Pacific on migrations of about 12,000 km and dive deeper than 1 km. In New Zealand waters they target jellyfish and salps.

Leatherback turtle is classed as a Non-resident Native in the NZ Threat Classification and is protected by the Wildlife Act 1953. Commercial-fishing bycatch is the principal documented threat in New Zealand and overseas. Sightings are unpredictable but concentrate offshore from Bay of Plenty and East Cape. Any beach-stranded leatherback should be reported to DOC immediately because it is likely unwell.