Albino Elephant in Kruger

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Flutterby
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Albino Elephant in Kruger

Post by Flutterby »

Posted on Facebook in January 2016 by Nicki Coertze:
I posted pictures last night of a pink Ellie. We had quite a bit of a chat on the post whether it is true Albino, or whether it will darken with age. However an issue for us all was how this cute Ellie would survive the sun. The basis for our discussion was whether the calf is a true albino or 'white' elephant, or what is known as a leucistic animal. A true albino has no protective skin pigment, melanin, and has unpigmented pink eyes and white skin with no markings. A leucistic animal is white, but has dark eyes, and can have some pigmentation, producing 'ghost' markings. The issue therefore centers around the eye. I have cropped in to 4% of the image to help us a bit with the eyes. I don't see any dark eyes beyond those eye lashes. Based on what I see, it is therefore a true Albino.
Man, I wish these animals will walk up to the car instead of standing in the distance.

Extremely Rare Baby Albino Elephant Spotted In African Wildlife Park

November 2016

An extremely rare albino elephant has been seen in Kruger National Park in South Africa. The little elephant calf’s pink skin stands out in contrast with the grey skin of her mother and African elephants in her herd. The baby was been spotted by tourists near the Shingwedsi River, where the elephants were drinking and bathing.

Image © Nicki Coertze

One person who saw the baby was 58-year old Nicki Coertze, who has been visiting Kruger Park since he was a kid. He said in all his years in the park he has never seen an albino elephant before, so he knew it was a once-in-a lifetime sighting and made sure to take as many pictures as he could.
Albinism is caused by a lack of pigment in the skin. The condition also causes poor eyesight that could eventually lead to blindness, something common in albino animals. Albino animals can often be rejected by their own species because of their unusual appearance. Fortunately, this does not seem to be the case with this baby elephant. She appears to be fully accepted in the herd and is being cared by her mother.


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Re: Albino Elephant in Kruger

Post by Alf »

Poor little thing. Wonder how long he will survive


Next trip to the bush??

Let me think......................
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Re: Albino Elephant in Kruger

Post by Flutterby »

Alf, that was from a year ago and it seems as if it is doing well..... \O

Posted on Latest Sightings on FB yesterday.
Now it is not often that one would see an Albino Elephant so this sighting was a bonus.
Seen today on the H4-1
Tinged by Jean for Discover Kruger Safaris
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16298588_1381686151901710_9031181014456675175_n.jpg (236.47 KiB) Viewed 2987 times
Tanya Malcomess Bunger:
Yesterday
We saw him to near Tshokwane beginning of January
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Re: Albino Elephant in Kruger

Post by Flutterby »

Just noticed that the ellie in the second pic has tusks, and the first one doesn't. Two abino ellies in Kruger? :-?


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Re: Albino Elephant in Kruger

Post by Richprins »

Ja, one Tshokwane, one Shing, it seems! \O

It happens every so often in Kruger over the years..but they tend to disappear or become dark if leucistic, as said...but definitely albinos these two?

Maybe put up under "unusual behaviour", so experts can give feedback? O\/

So many more ellies now, so so many more aberrations! O**


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Re: Albino Elephant in Kruger

Post by Mel »

In the first photo... it looks like he's got quite some "package" there. Is that normal for an ellie that age?


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Re: Albino Elephant in Kruger

Post by Bushcraft »

Flutterby wrote:Just noticed that the ellie in the second pic has tusks, and the first one doesn't. Two abino ellies in Kruger? :-?
Ja, 2 O:V Thanks for posting Flutts \O
Mel wrote:In the first photo... it looks like he's got quite some "package" there. Is that normal for an ellie that age?
:shock: Hopefully an expert can advise on the "package" size =O: =O: =O: --00--


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Re: Albino Elephant in Kruger

Post by Mel »

Stop laughing ^0^ It was a real question ^0^


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