A giant Galapagos tortoise with whitish skin and red eyes has been born at a Swiss zoo. According to the zoo owner, this is the first time an albino tortoise of this species has been observed in captivity or in the wild.

An albino tortoise was born on May 1st at the Tropicarium of Service in western Switzerland and has never been seen before. Photo: Fabrice COFRINI/AFP/ND

Philippe Morel, owner of the Tropiquarium de Servion, an area on the outskirts of Lausanne (western Switzerland), was “a blessing from heaven”.

Zoo visitors were able to see the albino turtle for the first time this Friday (3). In just one month of life, the animal weighs about 50 grams and fits in the palm of your hand.

vulnerable animal

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there should be about 23,000 individuals of this species in the Galapagos archipelago, in the Pacific Ocean. Chelonodis nigra or Galapagos giant tortoises are considered vulnerable and have a lifespan of up to 200 years.

However, the zookeeper estimates that the albino tortoise lives only a few weeks in the wild, as its white fur can attract predators. But he hopes that the newborn in her arena will grow normally.

“It’s amazing to see her rise,” says Morel. “She’s even more active than the other one,” commented her son Thomas (who also works at the park), pointing to another child.

an albino tortoise with its mother; species can live up to 200 years and weigh up to 200 kg – Photo: Fabrice COFRINI/AFP/ND

This event is exceptional not only because of the color of the tortoise, but also because of its size, which can weigh 200 kilograms as an adult, making it very difficult for individuals to reproduce, with a breeding success rate of only 2%.

In addition, there were only three zoos in the world giving birth in captivity.