Giant turtle found on NSW beach may have been killed by pollution linked to heavy rain

The remains of a giant leatherback turtle, which washed ashore at Avoca beach on NSW central coast. Photograph: Graham Russell/The Guardian

A giant dead leatherback turtle has washed ashore on the NSW central coast, with authorities saying it could have been killed by pollution linked to the state’s heavy rain and severe flooding.

The turtle washed up on Avoca beach on Wednesday morning, and is estimated to be a 30-year-old adult, measuring more than 1.8 metres long.