© Mike Hensen/The London Free Press
Sam Arevalo of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority holds up two rarities: An albino baby snapping turtle and a two-headed map turtle.
Sam Arevalo of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority holds up two rarities: An albino baby snapping turtle and a two-headed map turtle.
Scott Gillingwater, a species at risk biologist for UTRCA, says it's been a successful hatching season with the roughly 4,500 spiny softshell turtles they'll be raising -- and some unique newborns including a two-headed map turtle and six albino snapping turtles.
"That could be genetic, it could be pollutants, but I think the reason we're seeing more than typical is because we are being successful in our efforts. We're bringing in more eggs. There's always a higher chance the more eggs you have," said Gillingwater.
Comment: News reports show that there have been fires at the Pemex facility in 2015 and 2019 - and there may be more - in addition to the two fires in 2021.
Similar incidents in the last few years:
- Massive explosion hits Balongan oil refinery in Indonesia (2021)
- Massive petrochemical terminal explosion rocks Zhuhai Port, China
- Fire erupts after explosion at Iranian petrochemicals plant
See also: SOTT Exclusive: The growing threat of underground fires and explosions