Watch: Tiny Albino Loggerhead Makes Its Way Into the Gulf

Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see the little critter in action.

Protecting loggerhead hatchlings as they make their way to out to sea is mission that drives many to Florida’s coastlines this time of year.

The folks at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, in fact, have dedicated more than 50 years to protecting and serving the Sunshine State’s unique environment and the animals that call it home. Representatives from the organization were treated to a rare sight last week while checking on loggerhead hatchlings in the Naples area.

The team happened upon an albino loggerhead during a routine nest excavation on Naples Beach, the conservancy reported on Facebook.

“Finding an albino loggerhead in the nest is pretty rare by itself,” the post stated. “But finding one that is healthy and able to be released is even more unusual! Typically, when the team finds an albino during a nest excavation, the turtle did not survive and it had some deformities as well. So we were very pleased that this little one was found healthy and ready to be released into the Gulf.”

See Also:

• $18K Reward Offered for ‘Turtle Terrorists’
• 299 Sea Turtle Eggs Rescued from Poacher
• Pinellas Beaches Not Named Critical Sea Turtle Habitat
• Watch: 2 Loggerhead Hatchlings Swim to Freedom

Team members were so pleased, in fact, they filmed the critter’s trek into the warm Gulf waters. That video was posted on Facebook and has since been making waves.

It is unclear just how rare albino loggerheads are, but North Carolina Aquariums noted on its website that the all-white creatures are few and far between. In 2010, a little albino loggerhead named Nimbus made quite a splash when it was brought to the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium for care back in 2010. Nimbus suffered from a few birth defects that prompted officials there to keep it on exhibit rather than release into the wild.

“The turtle is something of a rock star at the Aquarium — especially with visiting school groups,” the aquarium noted on its website. “In addition to its advancement of the sea turtle conservation message, Nimbus could become a symbol of individuality. The Aquarium Gift Shop T-shirt for kids features Nimbus and the advice, ‘be different.’”

Loggerheads are among the sea turtles species protected under Florida law. It is illegal to harass or interfere with them in any way or to disturb a nest. Anyone who sees someone disturbing a sea turtle is asked to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or local law enforcement.

For more information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, visit its website.

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