No, you’re eyes aren’t playing tricks on you, this is indeed a real pink baby elephant.
Heartwarming footage has captured the little bull playing with another calf in a waterhole in South Africa.
Safari operator Theo Potgieter captured this unusual sight at the Olifants River in Kruger National Park on Feb. 9.
“A handful of sightings have been reported of this young bull, late 2023, but to my knowledge, there is no footage,” Mr. Potgieter said. “As a safari operator frequently visiting Kruger National Park, I have been lucky enough to have witnessed animals with a recessive gene before, including impala antelope, wildebeest, lion, and various birds.”
Aware that this was a special moment, Mr. Potgieter grabbed his camera to capture some shots. He described the experience as “a pleasant surprise.”
“Albinism in African elephants are extremely rare with only 1 out of 10,000 births resulting in a lighter-colored elephant,” Mr. Potgieter said.
Albinism is a genetic disorder characterized by reduced production of melanin, which is the substance responsible for pigment in the eyes, hair, and skin.
The safari operator estimated the young bull to be 1 year old.
