Press Releases

WORLD'S LARGEST TURTLE BACK ON SHOW AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM & GALLERY, CARDIFF

Date:

2004-07-26
After three months of TLC by the museum's conservation team the world's largest leatherback turtle ever found is now back on show in the Natural History: Man and the Environment permanent exhibition at the National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff.

The leatherback turtle was washed ashore on Harlech beach, Gwynedd in September 1988 and attracted world-wide attention. A 100 years old, the turtle is the largest and heaviest turtle recorded, measuring almost 3m (9ft)in length and weighing a hefty 914 kilos (2016 pounds). Sadly, the turtle drowned after being trapped by fishing lines.

Since 1980 the number of sightings of Leatherbacks around the coast of Britain and Ireland has soared with at least 306 sighted at sea and 121 found dead. This suggests that the turtles are coming to our waters every summer to find their main food - jellyfish.

The Natural History: Man and the Environment permanent exhibition presents a spectacular display of animals from around the world.

Entry to the National Museum & Gallery is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Back to news headlines