Rare White Giraffe Can Be Seen Grazing In The African Bush

Sep 26, 2019 by apost team

Dr. Derek Lee, an ecologist and the founder of and a scientist at the Wild Nature Institute, caught the “pale” giraffe, Omo, on his camera roaming around Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. The rest of her herd, all of which had normal coloring, didn't seem to realize that she was different.

Dr. Lee said that Omo is defined as leucistic, which means that her abnormal genetic condition of a patchy coloration of her skin has many of her skin cells that are incapable of making a pigment, but she is “pale” and not albino, which would be pure white with blue or red eyes. The reduction of pigmentation affecting various animals (such as mammals, birds, and reptiles) is caused by a genetic mutation which inhibits the melanin and other pigments from being correctly deposited in the skin, hair, or feathers. Although Lee and his partners have observed other leucistic animals such as an ostrich, a waterbuck, and a cape buffalo, they are only aware of Omo as a pale giraffe.

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The Wild Nature Institute conducts scientific research on endangered species of wildlife, works on conservation of the animals and anti-poaching, and inspires people and communities to protect the wildlife. The scientists are studying wild Masai giraffes in the Serengeti and Tarangire Ecosystems of Tanzania. They use a computer program that recognizes every animal’s unique fur pattern from photographs. They monitor over 3,500 individual giraffes in an area that is more than 25,000 square kilometers.

Theirs is the world's biggest giraffe study and one of history's biggest large-mammal demography studies. They believe animal welfare must be a priority, and their methods are completely non-invasive. They collect photographs and dung without ever interfering with or touching the giraffes. Are you willing to personally support and raise awareness of legal protections for wildlife? Environmental laws such as the Endangered Species Act make the world safer for wildlife and people. You can call or write to your congressperson, governor, senator, or even the president telling them that you support strong law enforcement to protect the precious wildlife.

Have you ever seen an animal like this before? Do you think we should do more to protect endangered species like this? Tell us what you think and tell your animal-loving friends about this special giraffe!