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A leatherback turtle, one of the largest of the species in the world, has been found dead in a Cornish harbour.

The animal, whose species has been listed as ‘critically endangered’ by The World Wildlife Fund, was found yesterday (September 8) after it washed up in Portreath harbour, near Redruth.

The charity Marine Conservation Society (MCSUK) reported the news on its Twitter page and asked members of the public to report such sightings to it.

Bob Philips, who was on the scene at the time of the finding, has sent Cornwall Live pictures of the turtle which show just how huge it is.

(Image: Bob Philips)

Leatherback turtles can weight between 200kg to 700kg and range from four to six feet. Their carapace, which is leather-like, is approximately 4cm thick. They are the fastest swimmers of all turtle species and can sometimes be seen off the Cornish coast.

According to the Coverack Community Website, leatherback turtles have a long history of strandings in the county.

"These have been documented by Roger Penhallurick: 1988 was a peak year with 18 stranded, caught or seen; similar numbers were reported in 1990," the website reads.

In July last year, another one was spotted off the coast between Land's End and Penzance. The 6ft turtle got caught in a buoy.