Rare, albino alligator's birthday celebrated at aquarium | News

KURE BEACH, NC (WECT) – Staff at North Carolina's Aquarium at Fort Fisher celebrated the birthday of a rare, albino alligator Saturday, according to a press release from aquarium officials.

The alligator, named Luna, was given a treat of raw smelt, chicken and alligator biscuits to honor her seventh year alive. Her birthday has become a tradition, and has been celebrated each Memorial Day weekend since 2009, when the albino alligator exhibit opened.

Many guests were at the event, including kids who signed a birthday card.

Luna came from an alligator farm in Florida, but was originally taken from a nest in Louisiana.

When alone in the wild, albino alligators do not often survive, and less than 50 are known to exist worldwide at present.

The last time she was measured, Luna weight 67 pounds and was 6.3 feet long.

When given proper care, albino alligators have the same life expectancy of a green alligator, which is up to 60 years.

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