Current location:World Walkthrough news portal > entertainment
Rare PINK elephant is captured playing in a South African waterhole
World Walkthrough news portal2024-05-22 10:50:08【entertainment】8People have gathered around
IntroductionA safari operator in South Africa has captured footage of a rare young pink elephant hopping and pla
A safari operator in South Africa has captured footage of a rare young pink elephant hopping and playing with his gray peers at a watering hole in Kruger National Park.
The approximately one-year-old pink elephant calf was born with albinism, wildlife biologists said, a rare genetic condition that halts the body's production of the skin pigment known as melanin — sometimes with damaging effects.
Researchers noted that some species shun rare albino births among their own kind, but the elephants at Kruger appear to be very protective of their own pink elephant.
In the video taken by the safari operator, the elephants can be seen splashing, rolling and playing with the young pink elephant at a watering hole in the national park.
The approximately one-year-old pink elephant calf was born with albinism, wildlife biologists said, a rare genetic condition that halts the body's production of the skin pigment known as melanin — sometimes with damaging effects to a creature's eyesight and food foraging skills
'It is always a privilege to be able to witness these extremely rare and special animals,' the safari operator, Theo Potgieter, told Live Science.
Potgieter, who has personally witnessed cases of albinism in elephants at Kruger National Park before, told the publication that he saw the herd accept and nurture their unique pink calves in both cases.
'In both recent sightings of two different individuals,' Potgieter explained via email, 'the rest of the herd seemed to be very protective and patient with the presence of these young individuals.'
While some creatures with albinism, such as catfish, have become avoided or shunned by their peers, as researchers have documented, others like albino alligators are often simply eaten by predators before they reach adulthood.
A safari operator in South Africa captured the footage of this rare young pink elephant (center) hopping and playing with his young gray peers at a watering hole in Kruger National Park
That safari operator, Theo Potgieter, has also personally witnessed another case of albinism in elephants at Kruger National Park. He said that, in both cases, he saw the herd accept and nurture their unique pink calves
READ MORE: Adorable and rare African wild ass explores its new home Hampshire - raising fresh hopes for the critically-endangered species
The male foal, which has not yet been named, was born at Marwell Zoo near Winchester on August 20 to parents Nadifa and Lars.
AdvertisementPoachers trading in exotic animals have also preyed upon albino animals, a practice that has led to at least one nonprofit buying an entire island off the coast of Indonesia just to build a sanctuary there for one albino orangutan.
While many albino creatures are left leading a solitary life away from their more ruddy, melanin-enriched peers, these are only part of their troubles.
To make matter worse, the condition reduces pigment in the irises also, causing poor eyesight.
This 'pink eye' can undermine an animal's ability to forage for its meals, spot predators, or even track and hunt down its own prey.
Much like the albino alligator, many other species when born with albinism, develop bright white fur, scales or skin, making it impossible to camouflage themselves in many environments, adding to their life's challenges.
Because these elephants, genus Loxodonta, are typically a dark gray, their small calves with albinism develop a pink skin and fair hair.
Albinism is presented by recessive gene, which means both parents must carry the trait to produce albino offspring, an unlikely mating condition that adds to the rarity of this mutated gene.
According to Potgieter, this rare condition 'only occurs once in every 10,000 births' of mammals in the wild.
Address of this article:http://djibouti.bahnsport.org/content-6f799916.html
Very good!(9)
Related articles
- Politically motivated crimes in Germany reached their highest level in 2023 since tracking began
- UMass Dartmouth's billionaire commencement speaker stuns graduates by giving them each $1,000
- Russia puts Zelensky on wanted list
- Brokerages' deal augurs well for capital market recast
- Scheffler back to work at Colonial and Stricker returns to Senior PGA in Michigan
- Village tourism in Xizang ushers in spring amid peach blossom viewing
- Cambodian PM celebrates Int'l Labor Day with seaport workers
- Cultural week celebrated at university to remind students of richness of Somali heritage
- Serie A champion Inter facing a nervous wait as deadline passes for loan repayment to Oaktree
- Volkswagen R&D center in Anhui sees promising developments
Popular articles
Recommended
Ecuador: Fire department honors five rescue dogs during retirement
Olympic flame arrives in Marseille amid tight security
Shanghai Olympic Qualifier Series to bring new experience for fans
Canadian Nobel Laureate Alice Munro dies at 92
US Open champ Coco Gauff urges young Americans to vote
Mongolia suspends transfer of citizens due to parliamentary elections
Cultural week celebrated at university to remind students of richness of Somali heritage
Shanghai Disney Resort to open world's first Zootopia
Links
- Bully influencer Katherine Asplundh's billionaire in
- What to know about conservatorships and Beach Boys' Brian Wilson's case
- War widow Christina Schmid, 49, who campaigned for soldiers killed in service, appears in court
- US appeals court says Pennsylvania town's limits on political lawn signs are unconstitutional
- Bully influencer Katherine Asplundh's billionaire in
- Man, 28, who died after being wrongly given AstraZeneca Covid vaccine told 'count yourself lucky'
- 1 of 3 teens charged with killing a Colorado woman while throwing rocks at cars pleads guilty
- Ringleader of extreme body modifications cult who made £300,000 from his pay
- War widow Christina Schmid, 49, who campaigned for soldiers killed in service, appears in court
- Ozempic butt: Women report two MORE unflattering and scary side effects of weight