That seemed to clinch the theory that she was trying to nest on the central Gulf Coast, even though few leatherback nests have been documented on the west coast. Leatherbacks typically prefer nesting sites on the Atlantic coast of Florida. But for reasons scientists don't quite understand, the number of known leatherback nests in Florida has multiplied recently, Harman said, with leatherbacks being spotted more frequently in the Gulf of Mexico in the past few years. The Clearwater aquarium now is arranging to use a construction barge to release Anna into the Gulf of Mexico this week, probably by Wednesday, so she can try again to follow her instincts, Harman said. Anna, who now has only three flippers after her March ordeal, should be hard to miss if she returns.
Leatherbacks come ashore to nest in broad daylight.
St. Petersburg Times.