Swiss Zoo Announces Birth of Rare Albino Tortoise Galapagos Which Lists As Endangered Species

Visitors at a zoo in Switzerland recently caught a glimpse of an unusually albino Galapagos giant tortoise born in May this year.

As indicated in a Phys.org report, the baby tortoise may be an extraordinary sight to behold with its red eyes and fair skin Weighing approximately 50 grams; the young animal fits the palm of a person's hand.

Essentially, albinism is a genetic condition that results in small or no production of the pigment melanin, which identifies the color of the skin, eyes, and hair. In animals, it can be accompanied by loss of hearing and sight.

This condition has never been observed in tortoise species with shells and skin typically black both in captivity and in the wild.

Endangered Species

According to Tropiquarium zoo owner Philippe Morel, from Sevion village, western Switzerland, humans are "blessed by the gods."

He added the said turquoise species "was of incredible zoological interest" and that has a small group of schoolchildren marveled at the baby in a glass window's snow.

The IUCN or the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the Galapagos giant tortoises, which can survive up to 200 years, as endangered species.

Approximately 23,000 tortoises are believed to exist on the archipelago. The owner of the part said he believes the lifespan of the albino tortoise would be limited to a few weeks in the world, although it is hopeful the creature, whose gender remains unknown, will live a long life.

2-Percent Successful Birth Rates

Morel also said It is crazy how much climb he's climbing. Meanwhile, Thomas Morel, who is in charge of the animals at the said zoo, shows another tortoise, the typical black, born early last month.

The birth is exceptional because the tortoises have a problem with difficulty because of their size; they can reach a maximum of 440 pounds. The rate of successful births is just around two percent.

So far, there have been arrivals of new tortoises in just three zoos worldwide, including two in Switzerland, a similar Tabbed News report said.

Albinism in Animals

Though a rare occurrence, this is not the first and only report about albinism in animals. In August last year, Mail Online came out with a report stating two of the 18 eggs that were then under care were hatched, and for the second time in 2021, in two years, Kenansville-based Wild Florida welcomed two albino baby alligators with parents, born albinos themselves.

The park announced that two more of the pale alligators were born after getting hatched from their eggs earlier this month.

The report specified that a group of 18 eggs was produced in April, though after a couple of months of incubation, monitoring, and caring, the two eggs hatched.

A report about the birth of the Albino Galapagos in a Switzerland zoo is shown on Global News's YouTube video below:

Check out more news and information on Endangered Species in Science Times.