By Team Grenada

GRAND ANSE, St. George’s ( May 03,2006):
Today, scores of curious onlookers –
both tourists and locals – gathered
at the Grand Anse beach to witness
a very unusual event.

A leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
came ashore to lay its eggs in the sand
during the broad daylight. This is very
unusual because laying eggs is an activity
that is generally done during the nighttime.
A marine specialist who was at the scene
believes that the turtle may have been forced
to come ashore during the bright daylight
because it was under pressure or 'stressed.'

The leatherback is the world's largest living turtle. It is listed as an endangered species
and it is currently estimated that there are
between 20, 000 – 30,000 female leatherbacks worldwide. This number, however, is declining as a result of some activities engaged in by human beings which can range from catching the turtles and using the flesh for food and oil to 'compacting' of the sand due to the frequent use of beaches by funseekers which can result in eggs not hatching.

More photos and videos are available by clicking on the photosgrenada link on this site.

For More information on the Leatherback Turtle Please Visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/
species/turtles/leatherback.html