14 rare albino turtles born healthy in Con Dao

On October 27, at Hon Cau in Con Dao National Park (HCMC), a turtle nest consisting of 78 eggs hatched into 56 baby turtles, including 14 rare albino turtles that were born healthy.

According to the Management Board of Con Dao National Park, the newly born albino turtle is very rare with a bright ivory shell, white edges like mist and clear eyes. Albinism is an extremely rare genetic mutation, only about 1/100,000 - 1/150,000 sea turtles have this characteristic.

Every year, Con Dao National Park still records 3-4 albino turtle nests. However, most of them often have congenital defects such as no eyes or amputated swimming, with only slightly pink eyes. This is the first time witnessing 14 healthy and beautiful albino turtles being born.

The newly born albino turtle in this year's breeding season is a rare creature with a bright ivory shell, white edges like mist and clear eyes. Photo: CON DAO NATIONAL PARK

According to Con Dao National Park, the survival journey of any baby turtle is harsh. After hatching, they must cross the sand to reach the sea, overcoming the risk of being attacked by crabs, birds and then large fish in the ocean.

Meanwhile, human-caused threats such as pollution, unsustainable fishing and habitat degradation are causing global sea turtle populations to decline dramatically.

14 healthy albino turtles were born in the waters of Hon Cau - Con Dao. Photo: CON DAO NATIONAL PARK

Albino sea turtles not only face the above challenges but also have difficulties arising from their limited natural camouflage ability due to hypopigmentation, which makes them white and easily detected by predators in the aquatic environment.

The birth of this albino turtle is not only a special biological milestone, but also a testament to the pristine ecological environment, preserved and protected persistently in Con Dao.

QUANG VU

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/14-ca-the-rua-bach-tang-quy-hiem-chao-doi-khoe-manh-o-con-dao-post820229.html