Encounters with nature can be quite exciting, especially when they involve rarely seen species. However, a sighting of an 800-pound leatherback sea turtle can be awe-inspiring. Add to that the fact the turtle is nesting and it becomes even more meaningful. Recently a well-spaced gathering of beachgoers witnessed just such a rare moment near the busy Indialantic Boardwalk at Melbourne Beach, Florida. (1)

800-Pound Sea Turtle In Florida

Weighing about 800-pounds, the gigantic turtle is hard to miss in broad daylight. “It was a shock. You walked down from the boardwalk, and it was right there,” says nature photographer Jimmy Golian.”It was a turtle — but, I mean, it was just massive. I’ve seen a lot of green turtles, and I’ve seen loggerheads. But, that one, I just couldn’t believe the size of it.” (1)

An endangered species, leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtle in the world. They can span six-feet and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. (2)

Florida Researcher Monitoring Turtles

Sarah Hirsch, Loggerhead Marinelife Center senior manager of research and data at the University of Central Florida was there at the time. She monitored the event and discovered the turtle had an identification tag from March 2016. The tag was placed by fellow personnel when the turtle nested at Juno Beach. Her name is Vienna. (1)

“We did actually go through a phase where we were naming turtles after well-known cities around the globe,” says Hirsch.  (1)

Vienna Nests In Florida

Vienna is apparently no stranger to these beaches. She was spotted nesting in Juno Beach a month before her appearance at Indialantic. According to Hirsch, tracking their movements is the reason they tag them. (1)

Florida Nesting Grounds

“It’s not unusual for us to encounter morning nesters on the beach. We see greens and loggerheads, and the very occasional leatherback. But it’s kind of a joy — especially with the leatherbacks — to see them,” says Kate Mansfield who heads up the University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Research Group. (1)

“We’re right at that northern edge of where the leatherbacks are known to regularly nest. We typically see anywhere from 20 to 50 leatherback nests in the Brevard County Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge,” says Mansfield. “And maybe just a handful north of there — which is where this turtle was seen.” (1)

Florida Sea Turtle Takes Her Time

“Those leatherbacks, they take a while to lay their eggs,” says Mansfield. “They’re just so big that it takes a while for them to kind of lumber up on the beach and find the right nesting spot, and then do their thing and eventually leave.” (1)

According to photographer Golian she didn’t return to the sea until after sunrise. (1)

Florida Sea Turtle Missing A Flipper

Vienna is missing her right flipper, but it hasn’t stopped her from remaining active. “Since we’ve seen her collectively four times now, we know she’s still able to go out there and reproduce and do her thing — even with that injury,” says Hirsch. (1)

The Indialantic police also arrived to witness the event after receiving a call. They remained at the beach to keep spectators away so as not to disturb the mama turtle. (1)