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Probe into death of rare leatherback turtle near Dunbar Probe into death of rare leatherback turtle near Dunbar
(35 minutes later)
Experts are attempting to establish how a 6ft-long leatherback turtle died off the east coast of Scotland.Experts are attempting to establish how a 6ft-long leatherback turtle died off the east coast of Scotland.
The reptile was found tangled in creel ropes by a fisherman on Thursday, one mile off the Dunbar coast.The reptile was found tangled in creel ropes by a fisherman on Thursday, one mile off the Dunbar coast.
The 350kg turtle is the fourth to have been found dead around Scotland in the last two weeks.The 350kg turtle is the fourth to have been found dead around Scotland in the last two weeks.
Pathologists will carry out a post-mortem examination in Edinburgh to find out if the creature drowned or had swallowed a plastic bag.Pathologists will carry out a post-mortem examination in Edinburgh to find out if the creature drowned or had swallowed a plastic bag.
The endangered species, which dates back more than 100 million years, is a rare sight in Scottish waters.The endangered species, which dates back more than 100 million years, is a rare sight in Scottish waters.
They have been known to die from eating plastic carrier bags which they mistake for jellyfish, their primary food source.They have been known to die from eating plastic carrier bags which they mistake for jellyfish, their primary food source.
Due to large one-way spines in their throats, the leatherbacks cannot regurgitate plastic bags. They either cause a blockage in the reptile's gut or it make feel full, causing it to stop eating and starve to death.Due to large one-way spines in their throats, the leatherbacks cannot regurgitate plastic bags. They either cause a blockage in the reptile's gut or it make feel full, causing it to stop eating and starve to death.
Matt Barnes, from the Marine Conservation Society, told the BBC Scotland news website that leatherback turtles could hold their breath for up to six hours.Matt Barnes, from the Marine Conservation Society, told the BBC Scotland news website that leatherback turtles could hold their breath for up to six hours.
But he added: "If it was tangled in a fishing line then it would panic and drown within minutes.But he added: "If it was tangled in a fishing line then it would panic and drown within minutes.
"It is uncommon to have four dead leatherbacks in two weeks and the necropsy should give us some more answers.""It is uncommon to have four dead leatherbacks in two weeks and the necropsy should give us some more answers."
The other turtles were found dead at Drumbeg in Sutherland; off the Isle of Coll; and on the Isle of Skye, north of Elgol.The other turtles were found dead at Drumbeg in Sutherland; off the Isle of Coll; and on the Isle of Skye, north of Elgol.
A necropsy on the turtle found in Sutherland found it had died from drowning. No examinations were carried out on the other two turtles because one was too decomposed and the other was too difficult to access.A necropsy on the turtle found in Sutherland found it had died from drowning. No examinations were carried out on the other two turtles because one was too decomposed and the other was too difficult to access.
The last sighting of a leatherback turtle in the Forth estuary took place in 2009.The last sighting of a leatherback turtle in the Forth estuary took place in 2009.
The necropsy will be performed at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.The necropsy will be performed at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Andrew Brownlows, a pathologist for the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, said it was "very unusual" to have four deaths in Scottish waters. Dr Andrew Brownlow, a pathologist for the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, said it was "very unusual" to have four deaths in Scottish waters.
He added: "We will today be able to confirm from the necropsy if the turtle died from drowning or from other causes.He added: "We will today be able to confirm from the necropsy if the turtle died from drowning or from other causes.
"It is only the second necropsy we have conducted on a leatherback turtle, so it should be very interesting.""It is only the second necropsy we have conducted on a leatherback turtle, so it should be very interesting."
Leatherbacks, the largest turtles in the world, nest in the Caribbean and are classed as an endangered species. They can reach up to three metres in length and weigh a ton.Leatherbacks, the largest turtles in the world, nest in the Caribbean and are classed as an endangered species. They can reach up to three metres in length and weigh a ton.