Rare two-headed turtle born at Odisha’s Nandankanan zoo

Bhubaneswar: A rare two-headed turtle was born at the Reptile Park of the Nandankanan Zoological Park here yesterday.

Informing about it, Nandankanan Zoological Park’s Deputy Director Sanjeet Kumar said a turtle belonging to red-eared slider species has given birth to two baby turtles.

While one of the hatchlings is normal, another has two heads. It is a rare incident and a case of genetic disorder, he said.

“We are facing this type of challenge for the first time. Curators and veterinarians of the zoo are consulting the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and experts to save the life of the hatchling. The baby turtle has been kept in a box at the reptile park. We are trying to provide suitable environment to the hatchling,” the official added.