It Seemed Like An Ordinary Elephant Herd, Until A Photographer Saw A Rare Baby Behind Mom

by pawbuzz on in Animals 90

It is thought that for every 10,000 mammals born on Earth, one will be born an albino. Albinism in animals is extremely rare, and in most cases, many of the known albino animals are well documented and analyzed.

But there remain a few animals out there who have slipped by unnoticed, under the safety and protection of their herd and environment.

Below, we share the pictures that Nicki Coertze, a tourist and photographer who was on African safari, snapped while sightseeing one day. He witnessed something spectacular, extremely rare, and pretty magical: an adorable tiny pink baby elephant frolicking by the river. It was an albino calf — and a once-in-a-lifetime sighting.

Many albino animals, like this amazing baby pug, do struggle to survive and be accepted by the rest of their family. We just hope that this baby elephant gets all the love and attention it deserves.

Scroll down to read more about this curious little elephant and understand more about its condition. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

[H/T: Daily Mail]


Nicki Coertze/Caters News

Nicki Coertze, 58, was on safari in Africa when he spotted something extraordinarily spectacular.

One day during his vacation, he and his family sighted a great herd of African elephants.

And right there was a tiny baby calf with floppy, bright pink ears and a coat of muddy, pink-colored skin.

She stood next to her mother, and drank from the nearby river.

Nicki Coertze/Caters News

This little baby has albinism — which is an extremely rare condition among African elephants.

Like with humans who have albinism, a majority of albino animals lack pigment in their skin, hair, scales, and feathers.

Unlike humans, however, albinism in animals is considered to be a hereditary condition.

Nicki Coertze/Caters News

Just by looking at the baby elephant, it can be hard to see how her condition will affect her life and well-being.

She will face many risks throughout her life, especially in her youth.

Fortunately, the calf will grow up in relative safety inside the national park, which will protect her from poachers and hunters.

Nicki Coertze/Caters News

Over time, however, excessive exposure to the sun will likely hurt the baby elephant, and damage her skin, which lacks sufficient pigment.

And, like other albino animals (including humans), she may suffer from blindness later in life.

Nicki Coertze/Caters News

Despite her potential struggles, the baby elephant was perfectly happy, frolicking among family and friends.

“I took some lovely shots of the pink elephant. Some of the shots show it framed by the legs of another elephant, you can really see the contrast in color between the two as the calf shows off its unique pinkness beautifully,” Coertze, the photographer, told the Daily Mail.

Nicki Coertze/Caters News

Coertze also said that he has been visiting the same national park for decades, since he was a kid.

In all these years, he has never seen an albino elephant before.

“Bearing that in mind, I have an idea that this is a once-in-a-lifetime sighting for me,” he said.

Nicki Coertze/Caters News

In most animal species, albinos can look quite different from the rest of the group, and are even looked upon as bizarre and unnatural.

As a result, many albino animals are rejected by their own species.

Luckily, it seems that this little baby elephant is quite accepted by her herd, who will hopefully continue to love and protect the calf.

Nicki Coertze/Caters News

We hope this beautiful little baby will grow up peacefully and healthily in the safari.

Please SHARE if you think this baby is a rare and beautiful sight!



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