A rare sighting has put southwest Tenerife on the map once again : guides and observers from the Bonadea II company recorded the passage of a leatherback turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea ), considered the largest sea turtle on the planet.
The specimen, described as an oceanic colossus , could exceed two meters in length and easily surpass 600 kilos . The encounter occurred in an area renowned for its extraordinary marine biodiversity , where pelagic conditions favor the presence of large migratory species.
An unusual giant in the Canary Islands
The leatherback sea turtle is distinguished by its flexible, dark, leathery shell , crisscrossed by several longitudinal grooves. Unlike turtles with rigid shells, this anatomy provides it with the agility and endurance to cross thousands of kilometers across the Atlantic.
Its presence on the islands is infrequent but known : the archipelago serves as a strategic stopover point during its long-range migratory routes, in which it alternates long journeys with feeding times.
The species' diet consists almost entirely of jellyfish , thus acting as a natural regulator of the ecosystem . This role is crucial in scenarios of increased jellyfish blooms related to climate change and overfishing.
For teams working at sea, sightings like this provide valuable information about the state of the Northeast Atlantic and migration patterns. The local scientific community celebrates the finding with caution , aware that these sightings also reflect the species' vulnerability.
Conservation status and ongoing responses
The leatherback sea turtle is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List , though not in the highest threat category. Among the factors that most affect it are accidental capture in fishing gear such as longlines or drift nets, the ingestion of plastics which it mistakes for prey, and the loss of nesting beaches due to coastal pressure.
In the Canary Islands, sustainable fishing measures and collaboration with the sector are being strengthened, protocols to reduce bycatch are being implemented, and awareness campaigns on marine debris are being carried out. Wildlife recovery centers are attending to strandings and releasing specimens safely.
The recommendations for sailors and users of the coastline include maintaining a safe distance from any sighting, not attempting to handle the animal, and notifying emergency services or the stranding network if an injured or entangled turtle is observed.
With over 100 million years of evolutionary history, the leatherback sea lion is a true icon of the great travelers of the sea and an indicator of the state of ocean ecosystems. Its conservation requires coordinated initiatives at a regional and global scale.
The sighting in southwest Tenerife, documented by Bonadea II , highlights an exceptional visitor and underscores the importance of protecting its migration routes , containing the threats it faces, and continuing to strengthen the science and management that allow these giants to continue crossing our seas.
