5 albino red-eared slider terrapins rescued from West Coast Park

ACRES was alerted to the terrapins through its wildlife rescue hotline at about 11am on Sept 27.

Published Oct 04, 2026, 08:30 AM

Updated Oct 04, 2026, 08:30 AM

SINGAPORE – Five albino red-eared sliders – a freshwater species commonly sold as pets – were rescued from rocks on the coast of West Coast Park on Sept 27 .

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) was alerted to the terrapins through its wildlife rescue hotline at about 11am on the same day , it said in a media reply on Oct 3.

Photos of the terrapins show them perched on the rocks near the water.

“We were particularly concerned about their exposure to salt water, which can cause severe dehydration and death,” said ACRES, noting that red-eared sliders are not adapted to living in sea water .

“Prompt intervention helped to prevent this, and we thank our callers for alerting us and for returning to check for more terrapins,” ACRES added.

While ACRES does not typically rescue or take in red-eared sliders, it said it intervened in this case so that the terrapins could be secured and prevented from suffering a potentially painful death.

ACRES added that the terrapins are generally healthy , although they were found with old lesions, shell damage, healed ulcers and a broken nail . ACRES is seeking adopters for them.

Red-eared sliders are not adapted to living in seawater. PHOTOS: ACRES

Red-eared sliders are not adapted to living in seawater.

ACRES said it currently does not have sufficient information to determine who may have released the terrapins.

According to ACRES, albino red-eared sliders are less common than the ones typically seen in pet shops and aquariums. However, they are still sold by many aquariums in Singapore, albeit at a higher price.

Although ACRES has received many reports involving abandonment, poor welfare and owners intending to surrender their pets, it said that cases involving albino red-eared sliders are rare.

ACRES cautioned pet owners against releasing them into Singapore’s natural environment when they can no longer care for them.

ACRES said: “As pets, they may not have the ability to survive independently in the environment, and releasing them can expose them to injury, starvation and other risks. It is also illegal to do so.”

It said it has encountered cases of abandoned terrapins being released into reservoirs and other water bodies.

ACRES is currently seeking adopters for the terrapins. PHOTO: ACRES

ACRES is currently seeking adopters for the terrapins.

ACRES urged pet owners never to release unwanted animals into the environment, and to seek appropriate help or rehoming options instead.

Red-eared sliders can cost as little as $2 to $6 , but their long-term care requires appropriate housing and specialised conditions, ACRES said.

“Their needs go beyond simply providing them with a tank of water, and owners need to be prepared for the long-term commitment involved in caring for them.”

ACRES added that it also previously responded to welfare concerns involving red-eared terrapins kept in inadequate conditions, including in small enclosures without appropriate facilities like access to sunlight, sufficient water, suitable filtration system and suitable basking platforms.

As such, ACRES said it has always advocated against the import and sale of red-eared slider terrapins due to the welfare and abandonment concerns associated with the species.

The Straits Times has contacted the National Parks Board for comment.

Daniel Lai is a journalist at the ST Now team, covering breaking news and international affairs.

9 月 27 日上午 11 点左右，ACRES 通过其野生动物救援热线接到了有关这些龟的警报。

发布于2026年10月4日上午8:30

更新于2026年10月4日上午8:30

新加坡——9月27日，五只白化红耳龟（一种常见的淡水宠物）从西海岸公园海岸的岩石中获救。

动物关注研究与教育协会 (ACRES) 在 10 月 3 日的媒体回复中表示，当天上午 11 点左右，该协会通过其野生动物救援热线接到了有关这些龟的警报。

照片显示，这些龟栖息在水边的岩石上。

“我们尤其担心它们接触盐水，这会导致严重的脱水和死亡，”ACRES 表示，并指出红耳龟不适应在海水中生活。

“及时的干预帮助阻止了这种情况的发生，我们感谢来电者提醒我们并再次返回查看是否还有更多的海龟，”ACRES补充道。

虽然 ACRES 通常不救助或接收红耳龟，但它表示，它介入此案是为了确保这些龟的安全，防止它们遭受可能很痛苦的死亡。

ACRES补充说，这些龟总体上都很健康，尽管它们被发现时身上有旧伤、龟壳破损、已愈合的溃疡和断趾甲。ACRES正在为它们寻找领养人。

红耳龟不适应海水生活。图片来源：ACRES

红耳龟不适应海水生活。

ACRES表示，目前尚无足够信息来确定是谁放生了这些海龟。

据ACRES称，白化红耳龟比宠物店和水族馆常见的红耳龟要少见得多。不过，新加坡许多水族馆仍然出售白化红耳龟，只是价格更高。

尽管 ACRES 收到了许多关于遗弃、福利状况不佳以及主人打算放弃宠物的报告，但表示涉及白化红耳龟的案例很少见。

ACRES 警告宠物主人，在无法继续照顾宠物的情况下，不要将它们放生到新加坡的自然环境中。

ACRES表示：“作为宠物，它们可能不具备在自然环境中独立生存的能力，放生它们会使它们面临受伤、饥饿和其他风险。而且，这样做也是违法的。”

该机构表示，他们曾发现过被遗弃的龟被放生到水库和其他水体中的案例。

ACRES目前正在为这些龟寻找领养人。照片：ACRES

ACRES目前正在为这些乌龟寻找领养人。

ACRES 敦促宠物主人永远不要将不想要的动物放生到环境中，而应该寻求适当的帮助或重新安置方案。

ACRES表示，红耳龟的价格可能低至2到6美元，但它们的长期照料需要合适的住所和专门的条件。

“它们的需求不仅仅是提供一个水箱，主人需要做好长期照顾它们的准备。”

ACRES 还补充说，此前它也曾对红耳龟的福利问题做出回应，这些红耳龟被饲养在不适宜的环境中，包括狭小的笼舍里，没有适当的设施，例如阳光、充足的水、合适的过滤系统和合适的晒太阳平台。

因此，ACRES表示，由于红耳龟的福利和遗弃问题，它一直反对进口和销售红耳龟。

《海峡时报》已联系国家公园局征求意见。

Daniel Lai 是 ST Now 团队的记者，负责报道突发新闻和国际事务。