Sea turtle ‘run over’ on White Hills beach in Port Bouvard

A WA beachgoer has spoken of her devastation after finding a turtle apparently run over on a beach near Mandurah.

Lake Clifton resident Dani Elle was at White Hills beach in Port Bouvard on the weekend with her children when they found the large sea turtle dead on the dunes.

Nearby tyre tracks suggested the animal had been run over by a vehicle, either before or after it had died.

"My daughter saw it from the beach track and yelled out 'giant turtle’ and we just thought she was making things up," Ms Elle said.

"Then we saw the poor old thing. It was devastating.

"Someone seems to have run it over with a car, its shell was damaged and it had been dragged into the dunes."

Ms Elle said she had reported the turtle to local rangers.

Another beachgoer who claimed they saw the turtle said its shell was covered with bite marks.

Winter is a dangerous time of year for sea turtles as they can lose their battle with the currents and become stranded on South West beaches.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife is investigating the incident and a spokesperson said anyone with information should call the Wildcare helpline on 9474 9055.