Deceased Sea Turtle will be removed from District 4 beach

WARNING - GRAPHIC IMAGE: The remains of a Leatherback Sea Turtle has washed up on a beach in District 4. The Municipality of Pictou County's Bylaw Officer has inspected the turtle and followup calls were made to the Department of Fisheries.

The Bylaw Officer was told that DFO is aware of the turtle remains which believes it has been deceased for some time and has travelled an extensive distance before washing up on shore. Samples of the deceased turtle were taken for further investigation and because it is considered an endangered species, the Municipality of Pictou County is required to get a special permit before it can be removed from the beach.

The Leatherback Sea Turtle is the largest of all living turtles and is the fourth-heaviest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. An adult weighs an average of between 250 and 700 kg.