Rare Amazon turtle hatchling born without its species’ dark colours

A tiny turtle with unusually pale colouring has hatched in Bolivia’s Manuripi Amazon National Wildlife Reserve, creating a rare and eye-catching moment for conservationists. The hatchling is a yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle, but unlike most of its kind, it was born with very little pigment, making it stand out instantly against the dark, muddy setting of the forest.Bolivia’s National Service of Protected Areas announced the discovery on June 13, calling it an exceptional record. The sighting is notable not only because of the turtle’s striking appearance, but also because it draws attention to the fragile future of a species already under pressure across the country.Why this hatchling stands outYellow-spotted Amazon river turtles usually have dark green, brown and yellow tones that help them blend into their surroundings. Their natural colouring is well suited to riverbanks, wet logs and the shifting shadows of Amazon waterways.This hatchling looks very different.