How I saved the life of a leatherback sea turtle

Aug 20, 2013 10:01 PM

saile1234

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7271

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Trying to guide her out of the river and back into the ocean.

On this beach, there is a river that usually flows into the ocean but due to a recent storm, it had been blocked off and the river ended in a lake type of thing. This turtle had finished laying her eggs and got turned around so instead of her returning to the ocean, she ended up getting caught in the river. There was no one else on the beach except for my mom and I, so I jumped in and tried to guide her out.

Guiding her out of the river

The grimace on my face is because in order to get her to move, you have to stand in her way so she turns and goes in the opposite direction. They are very strong creatures and she was pushing very hard against my shin.

Clearing debris from the beach

Watching her return to the sea

Digging her nest

Awesome badassery. I'm not just saying that because I like sea turtles either...

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

well done! also... you're hot

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I wept womanly tears. I hope that you have a blissfully happy life you beautiful human... snd the turtle to

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

That turtle has just posted on imgur "how I made a human follow me for 3 hours"

12 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 0

I thank you for the Planet!

12 years ago | Likes 34 Dislikes 0

Is... Is that Drake?

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

She's like a living dinosaur :O

12 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

*She's crying in some pictures to remove extra salt water from her system.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

U rock OP,

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

:)

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Is this a movie yet? This should be a movie.

12 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

OP looks like a boyish Kaepernick.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

"Duuuuuude, thanks."

12 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

Before we make bad puns a say weird things. Good job OP :)

12 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 1

Why isn't this post #1??

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I didn't know they got that big.

12 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 1

I had no idea either!

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Check out this pic from a few months ago: http://imgur.com/IdgOejA

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

They get bigger.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 4

Leatherbacks are the biggest turtles in the world

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

thats one big ass turtle

12 years ago | Likes 239 Dislikes 4

thats it we better close up shop, this comment nailed it

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

relevant: http://xkcd.com/37/

12 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

What's an ass turtle?

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Someone husband this guy NOW

12 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 1

dibs

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Ridiculously photogenic turtle savior

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

At first I was like, aww. Then I was like, AWW! Then I was like, aaawwwww.

12 years ago | Likes 435 Dislikes 4

So I guess no one elses first thought was 'turtle soup'? That thing could have fed a village

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Yeah, but there's that whole critically endangered thing I think about when I see these turtles.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

i am looking for this one, duuude...

12 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

These are incredibly endangered (critical, one step above "extinct in the wild"). You're lucky you even saw one, much less got to save it.

12 years ago | Likes 113 Dislikes 0

This looks like Grand Riviere in T&T...there can be literally 10+ on the beach at a time. Usually at night but a few get confused...

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You are a good person.

12 years ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 1

Did she give you a dragon ball and flying cloud in return for your help?

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Anybody else think of ?

12 years ago | Likes 78 Dislikes 2

Now I did.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

OH MAN. RIGHT IN THE FEELS.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Not until just now.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

For me, it's watching http://www.nickjr.com/kids-videos/diego-leatherback-sea-turtle.html with my kids

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I always upvote turtles.

12 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 1

It's because you like them, right?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

"I like turtles." - Zombie Boy - Raifor725

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Careful, this might become your "thing"

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Where was this? It looks beautiful there

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

on reddit he said Trinidad. Apparently the amount coming to nest there is increasing. :)

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

fuck yessss trinidad, I am from that motherfucker

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

One time I redirected an ant from crawling on my food.

12 years ago | Likes 1438 Dislikes 5

Hahaaaa brills!

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

Will someone get this person an award?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Once i killed only half the ants with a magnifying glass

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I tried to save a baby bird once, but the other shitlord punk ass birds pushed it back out of the nest again :(

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

You. I like you.

12 years ago | Likes 59 Dislikes 5

...and then accidentally squished it.

12 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

"Accidentally"

12 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

VIOLENTLY

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Holy shit that thing is huge.

12 years ago | Likes 2080 Dislikes 6

Mmmmm all that soup.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

OP is Jose for scale

12 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 0

Awww, that thing is a lady!

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I had no idea they were that big

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

That's all I could think the whole time. Fuckin Dinosaurs, man.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Hey, congrats on making top comment!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Also rather majestic, in its way.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

DINOSAURS!

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Haha, I don't think it can be said any better...

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Hahaha, now that is a fucking comment!

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Banana for scale?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

How could you tell without the banana?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

When I went to Cancun, we saw a bunch of tracks that were the size of construction truck wheels but they were made by the turtles.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That is just enormous! that is more than turtlely enough for my turtle club

12 years ago | Likes 47 Dislikes 2

+1 for master of disguise

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 2

I get that a lot.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Well observed, Sir.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That's what she said.

12 years ago | Likes 161 Dislikes 4

That's what I wish she'd said

12 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

:(

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

+1 for Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Have you considered that that turtle could be 200 years old. YOU SAVED SOMETHING FROM 1813 (maybe)

12 years ago | Likes 613 Dislikes 2

it's very likely it's extremely old, they don't get that big over night!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I forgot my question mark. Fuck it. I also used all caps. I might as well hash tag something, just for good measure. #seaturtle

12 years ago | Likes 207 Dislikes 1

Lol, I just got a Twitter but I still say "number" instead of "hashtag". I can't. . . . it just sounds weird too.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

So what. Critics gonna hate. HERE, HAVE SOME UNNECESSARY CAPS AND QUESTION MARKS?????

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

She is for sure older than anyone on imgur.

12 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 0

Oh we should be friends lol

12 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

consider it done!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

#upvote? #UPVOTE!!

12 years ago | Likes 46 Dislikes 0

oh odin, may this never become a thing on imgur. #cringe worthy. (actually hurts a bit to read, doesn't it?)

12 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

#hashtagabuse

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

umm.. #turtlepower ..?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

You rule.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I tell myself this every morning but then I just stay in bed all day and eat cream of wheat and I know I'm wrong about ruling anything.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You're thinking of Tortoises, Sea turtles live 80 years, If they're not eaten first.

12 years ago | Likes 48 Dislikes 2

Huh, I could have sworn Sea Turtles lived longer...

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

NUH-UH MARLIN ASKED CRUSH AND HE SAID 150!! DISNEY NEVER LIES!!

12 years ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 1

If Disney never lies... does that mean you're antisemitic?

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

But but Sandy Plankton said they live to be 100...

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

I feel the need to settle this 2 years later. The average life span in the wild of this particular species of sea turtle is 45 years. (1)

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

However this species can live up to 100 years or more. http://www.seeturtles.org/leatherback-turtles/ (2)

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Same with Humans, really.

12 years ago | Likes 42 Dislikes 2

Pt. 2 Unless you're being philosphical, in which case, word.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 4

Humans eat things. Things don't typically eat humans. And I don't even care. I fucking love meat and I love being omnivorous.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 3

Also, you should notify your local conservation authorities about the presence of the nest. Every one of those eggs is important.

12 years ago | Likes 316 Dislikes 1

when I was in Costa Rica i helped a team relocate eggs to a safe spot. They smelled like oatmeal.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

YES. Especially if she might've laid her eggs in a place where they couldn't easily get to the ocean after hatching.

12 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 0

This should be top comment! Not "holy shit that thing is huge".

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Excellent point. Hope you do that, OP!

12 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 0

YES Please contact a local conservancy. And please note the location of the eggs. If possible they might be able to relocate the nest.

12 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

And tasty. Jk Don't eat turtles. Conserve them while we can

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Ya know what else is tasty? SQUASH.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Don't worry. That beach is a known nesting site for leatherback sea turtles. In face, I think it is one of the largest in the world.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

fact*

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Was this Hunting Island or Huntington Beach?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thank you, you marvelous human! In recompense on behalf of the world, I will bear your children if you wish.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Come on, OP. Where are the pictures of you riding the turtle into the sunset?

12 years ago | Likes 147 Dislikes 3

"And on the fourth morning, he roped himself a couple of sea turtles, lashed them together and made a raft."

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

BUT WHY IS ALL THE RUM GONE?!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Leather-back turtles backs' are fragile. I frown upon your suggestion.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 3

i frown upon not riding it like lapras. i may be indirectly related to low numbers in the wild.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I*

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

I was merely making a funny. I have always dreamed of riding a seabound creature into the sunset, but- like star- that dream is dead.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Sorry if I sounded mean :( It's just that in my country, some people do this, and i get angry.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

It's okay, johnnyhorsecock. I don't have access to seaturtles in St. Louis, so I think I can keep my temptations aside.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Trinidad ? ... & Tobago ?????

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yes :)

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

She's... she's crying in that last photo!

12 years ago | Likes 1518 Dislikes 12

they cry because they need to keep their eyes wet. they're meant to see underwater so they cry to see better.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 7

The feels!

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

Labour hurts, yo!

12 years ago | Likes 145 Dislikes 1

Nah, getting salt out of their system.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

To keep the sand out of their eyes

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

She's not the only one...

12 years ago | Likes 39 Dislikes 0

i thought it was glass in her eye..

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

she was crying of gratitude because the human helped her

12 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 1

Can't tell if you were upvoted by people who believed you understood you were making fun of the humanization of the turtle...

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

She isn't crying. Her eye is simply drooling.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Sea turtles cry to remove all the salt from their bodies

12 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

Correctomundo!

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

How would u feel if u had to give birth to a whole bunch of eggs and then fucking find ur way home... "The fuck am I? Daaaang it"

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

HAHAHA "The fuck am I? Daaaang it!"
That was hysterical! ^_^

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Sea turtles have salt glands in their skulls. They're used to soak up the excess salt the turtle drinks and then excretes it as 'tears'.

12 years ago | Likes 93 Dislikes 0

I need that. I eat too much salt. Because it is delicious.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

They cry when they lay their eggs. I forget why, but I saw it on animal planet a while ago.

12 years ago | Likes 346 Dislikes 2

that shit is painful

12 years ago | Likes 182 Dislikes 1

They're always "crying" to keep the salt out of their eyes. It's just not noticeable in the water obviously.

12 years ago | Likes 142 Dislikes 1

Also keeps the sand out of their eyes on land.

12 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 0

Probably because hundreds of eggs pass through her (dont know the reptilian term) non-stop.

12 years ago | Likes 102 Dislikes 1

it's actually a way of flushing sand out of their eyes

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I prefer the term "giggy"

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

cloaca!

12 years ago | Likes 62 Dislikes 0

Oh, i knew the term but thought it was only for birds. Well, thanks

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

And we, humans, bitch about giving birth to pushing out one baby. (Sometimes more if you're unfortunate/"blessed".)

12 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 2

She's giving birth to a bunch of eggs, 1 at a time. Humans have such big heads that we start with squishy skulls just so we can squeeze out.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

To be fair, birth for humans is more painful and more traumatic than almost any other animal due to our large cranium, and small hips.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0