As a safari guide, seeing the animal kingdom’s magic is a normal workday. However, one guide in South Africa needed to do a double-take after they saw a pink elephant calf playing in a waterhole.
According to Theo Potgieter, a guide and safari operator, via a Facebook post, this very uncommon, adorable calf was bathing in the Olifants River in Kruger National Park.
As you can see, this pink-hued calf is having a field day playing in the water with other elephants.
So why does this calf look like it belongs less in the wild and more in a Disney film? As Potgieter explains, this calf likely has albinism. This uncommon genetic mutation stops the production of melanin. As a result, it creates pigment in their eyes, hair, and skin.
Potgieter also noted that only about 1 in 10,000 elephants are born with the illness. However, this calf isn’t the very first he’s seen with the unique pigmentation.
While this elephant is certainly a part of the herd, animal researchers have noted that other animals with albinism are sometimes erupted from the group. Unfortunately, they typically need to live life alone and far from their herd.
Yet, per accounts from Potgieter, the albino elephant calves he’s seen were totally incorporated with the herd and prospering. He describes the remainder of the herd as protective and patient with the distinct calves.
While this vibrant animal is mesmerizing individuals online, there are other equally rare animals worldwide with the same disease. For instance, authorities in China recently captured a glimpse the world’s only recognized albino panda. In addition, a Tennessee couple was left speechless after they found an uncommon albino deer. To put that rarity into viewpoint, you have a 1 in 30,000 chance of catching a glimpse of an albino deer.
one guide in South Africa needed to do a double-take after they saw a pink elephant calf playing in a waterhole.