Weighed 300 kilograms: one of the largest turtles in the world was caught in Italy (3 photos)

According to journalists, the dead turtle was found by the Financial Police unit. Its body had been seen floating in the water for several days.





"Financial Police operators had to dive to free the sea turtle's body and then tow it to the port of Viareggio, where a crane lifted it and placed it in a van of WWF Viareggio operators, who quickly arrived at the port from the Ronchi first aid center in Marina di Massa," the department said.



The Financial Police called the find a "sad discovery" caused by human activity.

"The lifeless body of the majestic turtle will now be transferred to the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Pisa," the law enforcement officers noted.

According to them, experts will conduct tests to determine the exact cause of the animal's death.



What is known about leatherback turtles

These are the largest modern turtles. The leatherback turtle feeds on jellyfish, comb jellies, crustaceans, cephalopods, sea cucumbers, and young fish. It is common in all tropical seas, and sometimes swims into the waters of temperate and even northern latitudes.