An enormous leatherback turtle - the "Dermochelys coriacea" species, the largest sea turtle in existence - was found dead in the waters of Viareggio (Lucca), two miles from the port's lighthouse.

A patrol boat from the Guardia di Finanza – explains the WWF – intervened on the spot. The specimen, which had been seen swimming in that area in recent days, weighed around 300 kilos and is two meters long: its neck and front fin were hooked to the top of an underwater counterweight, and it was impossible to lift from the bottom.

The military had to dive to free the turtle and tow it to the port where a crane lifted the carcass.

The leatherback turtle was transferred to the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Pisa, which together with Arpat and the University of Siena will analyze it to ascertain the cause of death.

(Unioneonline/ss)

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