Magnolia Gardens receives another rare albino raccoon
January 2, 2011
With the help of nature and an animal shelter, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has received a rare Christmas gift – an albino raccoon.
The new arrival joins another albino raccoon and a dark-colored raccoon, in an exhibit at Magnolia’s petting zoo. The animals, all born this year, come from Keeper of the Wild in St. George.
In the 25 years that Janet Kinser has provided shelter to injured and orphaned animals she’s seen only two albino raccoons. But 2010 has been unusual.
“This year, I’ve seen six albino raccoons,” said Kinser, Keeper of the Wild’s founding director. “It has been odd or coincidental.”
Albino raccoons are produced by a genetic defect. They don’t survive long in the wild because prey can spot them easily, Chris Smith, director of Magnolia’s petting zoo, said.
The new arrival is a male. The second albino raccoon is a female, and the dark-colored raccoon is a male.
“The raccoons are tame enough for me to take care of them in the exhibit, but they are not pets,” Smith said. “They are wild animals, therefore, kids won’t have a chance to pet them.”
But Magnolia is giving children a chance to name the two albino raccoons and their friend.
To enter, mail your entries to: Name the Raccoons, Magnolia Plantation and Garden, 3550 Ashley River Rd., Charleston, S.C. 29414 or email [email protected] . First prize is an annual family membership.
Deadline to enter is Jan. 30.
