Off-course Lenny the leatherback turns up in Forth

Published on Sunday 16 November 2008 23:31

A LEATHERBACK turtle was spotted in an Edinburgh harbour by walkers taking a Sunday afternoon stroll.

The marine reptile, dubbed "Lenny" by locals, was seen swimming in Granton Harbour yesterday afternoon before heading further along the Firth of Forth.

Leatherback turtles, which breed on sites along the North American coast, have been an endangered species since 1970.

Marine experts say the turtle would probably have swum from the Caribbean into Scottish waters using the powerful North Atlantic current.

There have been some sightings of the turtles on the west coast of Scotland over the past few years, but far fewer of the animals have been spotted in the North Sea.

A marine expert last night said Lenny's chances of survival were slim, as his reptile friends will now be arriving back in the Caribbean for the start of the breeding season.

Edinburgh architect Richard Erdal was walking around Granton Harbour with his daughter and son-in-law when they saw the turtle yesterday afternoon.

"A woman came running up to us shouting she had seen a turtle. She had been involved in turtle conservation and said it was a leatherback," he said.

"We went to the harbour edge and saw the reptile. It swam really close to the harbour and then swam back out again."

Mr Erdal, of Boswall Road in the city, added: "I keep an eye out for wildlife, but usually birds, so this really was a turn-up for the books."

Dr Peter Evans, director of the Sea Watch Foundation charity, said it was unusual to find a leatherback turtle swimming in the North Sea. He also said its chances of survival were slim.

He said: "They return to breed in the sub-tropics in winter and spring so, given that this turtle is in the North Sea, it is fated not to survive."

He said the fact it had ended up in Scottish waters was probably a result of a combination of factors.

"These reptiles use the warm North Atlantic current to travel from the Caribbean into British waters.

"Sightings of these turtles on the west coast of Scotland have increased in recent years. This is due to the current flowing more strongly, meaning warmer waters.

"Global warming has also meant a temperature increase in the sea. In addition, there has been a surge in their food supply of jellyfish on the west coast of Scotland."

He added: "However, it is unusual for them to be in the North Sea."