Worlds Largest Sea Turtle Rescued And Released Back Into Wild

This is the touching moment a huge endangered leatherback sea turtle is released back into the wild after it was rescued by animal lovers.

The footage shows the massive sea creature slowly inching its way towards the water and back to freedom as well-wishers quietly look on.

The heartwarming images was shared online by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), who said: "This week, an endangered leatherback sea turtle was discovered stranded alive in Wellfleet, Massachusetts - an area where IFAW’s Marine Mammal Rescue & Research team often responds to stranded marine mammals.

"The local response organization for stranded sea turtles in the area, Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, quickly jumped in to rescue him and called for support from IFAW and New England Aquarium (NEAQ)."

They also said that leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtle in the world, with adults able to reach weights ranging from 550 to 1,500 lbs (250 to 680 kilogrammes).

They said that this particular specimen was estimated to "be close to 600 lbs - which meant the team needed all hands on deck to transport the animal off the beach."

They explained that in order to deal with the massive reptile, they used a stretcher on which they usually carry dolphins, as well as a "dolphin cart" onto which the reptile was then placed from the stretcher.

They said that these tools as well as their expertise "made all the difference during the rescue".

After they rescued the sea turtle, the organisation said that they relocated it to "a beach in Provincetown where he could be released safely."

Before releasing it back into the ocean, they said that NEAQ gave it a full health checkup and tied it with tracking devices so that they could monitor its movements in the wild.

They added: "Soon, the turtle was brought to the water’s edge, where he slowly, but surely made his way back to safer, deeper waters."

They also said : "Every individual leatherback sea turtle is vital to the survival of this endangered species and we were proud to be part of such an important rescue alongside two incredible organizations."

Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN's Red List of Endangered Species. Despite not having many natural predators once they reach adult size, the main threats to its survival include human -related activities with some being caught for their meat.

Their nests are also often targeted by humans in Southeast Asia and many end up stranded in Florida, for example, where they are often hit by boat propellers causing them to wash up on shore.

They are often victims of by catch and light pollution can seriously impede their ability to ensure the survival of young turtle hatchlings, which are naturally attracted to light and which often heads towards the light instead of remaining on the beach and going into the sea.

IFAW/CZ/Joe Golder