It is one of nature’s great ocean explorers, a giant creature that swims 13,000 miles in a year and can live to the age of 100.
The rare leatherback sea turtle, nicknamed Yawkey (pictured), was found stranded on a remote beach
The huge turtle, weighing an estimated 500 pounds, is now being treated at South Carolina Aquarium
Rescuers believe Yawkey may have accidentally eaten plastic having mistaken it for his favourite food jellyfish
Rescuers tend to Yawkey at the aquarium where he is being treated with fluids and antibiotics
Yawkey floats in the small tank set up for him at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston
Experts said it became stranded after it mistook a billowing plastic bag for the jellyfish it feeds on – a common problem which kills countless sea turtles every year.
The incident is a stark illustration of the damage humans are doing to the environment by dumping millions of tons of plastic rubbish into our oceans.
The charge, which will be introduced by October, is expected to reduce bag use by up to 80 per cent and raise up to £100million a year for good causes.
The aquarium hopes to release Yawkey soon because leatherbacks do not cope well in captivity