Albino freshwater terrapins found abandoned at West Coast Park shore - Mothership
They could have died from the saltwater exposure, said ACRES.
Some albino terrapins were found abandoned along the shore at West Coast Park on Sep. 27.
Members of the public alerted the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), who came to the site and rescued the animals.
The terrapins were red-eared sliders, a kind of terrapin commonly kept as pets in Singapore.
It is not known who may have released them.
In a video from ACRES, passersby were seen crouching and observing the terrapins, which were spread out across the shore.
In response toΒ Mothership's queries, a spokesperson from ACRES said that they received a call via their Wildlife Rescue Hotline around 11am that day.
The spokesperson added that the terrapins were "generally healthy", but were found to have old lesions, shell damage, healed ulcers, and a broken nail.
ACRES is currently seeking adopters for them, and thanked callers for notifying them.
They added that members of the public also returned to the shore later to ensure that there were no other terrapins missed.
The red-eared sliders had to be rescued as they are freshwater animals, and exposure to the saltwater at West Coast Park could have proved fatal, said ACRES.
If they were left in the sea, the saltwater could have caused severe dehydration and a painful death.
While ACRES does not typically rescue or take in red-eared slider terrapins, their spokesperson stated that they intervened in this case to prevent the terrapins from suffering potential death.
Red-eared sliders are common and legal pets in Singapore, known for their signature orange or red stripe at the side of their head.
They are sold for as little as S$2 to S$6, according to ACRES.
The terrapins in this case had albinism, an uncommon genetic mutation that causes melanin to be absent in an animal, causing their skin to turn white and their eyes to turn red.
Such terrapins are also sold by pet shops in Singapore, albeit for a higher price.
However, ACRES' spokesperson added that the low cost of buying a red-eared slider terrapin does not mean that it is easy to keep.
Conversely, their long-term care requires appropriate housing and specialised conditions, such as access to sunlight, a water filtration system, and a basking platform for them to leave the water and dry their shells.
For those reasons and resulting welfare concerns, cases of which they have dealt with in the past, ACRES said it advocates against the import and sale of red-eared sliders.
ACRES' spokesperson also stressed that red-eared sliders should not be released into the natural environment when owners are unable to care for them.
As pets, they may not have the ability to survive in the wild, and might be injured or starve.
According to NParks, red-eared sliders are in fact not native to Singapore, and are one of the most invasive species in the world.
They originate from North America and can cause harm to Singapore's natural environment by outcompeting native species.
ACRES thus urges pet owners to seek help or rehoming options if they are no longer able to provide care to their animals.
Pet abandonment is also illegal in Singapore under the Animals and Birds Act.
First-time offenders can receive up to 12 months' imprisonment, or a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.
Subsequent offenders will receive up to 2 years in jail, or a fine of up to S$20,000, or both.
