By Alicia Cruz
Senior writer
theblackurbantimes.com
Pink Dolphins, while rare, are not unheard of. Many have been seen in Hong Kong, but these mammals can mostly be found in the tributaries and main rivers of the Orinoco River (The Amazon) systems in South America.
This photo to the left was taken by a Lake Charles, La., boat captain on Lake Calcasieu.
He began studying the pink (Albino) mammal after it first surfaced in Lake Calcasieu, an inland saltwater estuary, north of the Gulf of Mexico in southwestern USA.
Captain Rue originally saw the red-eyed dolphin swimming with a pod of four other dolphin.
He began studying the pink (Albino) mammal after it first surfaced in Lake Calcasieu, an inland saltwater estuary, north of the Gulf of Mexico in southwestern USA.
Captain Rue originally saw the red-eyed dolphin swimming with a pod of four other dolphin.
"It was absolutely stunningly pink. "I had never seen anything like it. It's the same color throughout the whole body and it looks like it just came out of a paint booth. "The dolphin appears to be healthy and normal other than its coloration, which is quite beautiful and stunningly pink.
"The mammal is entirely pink from tip to tail and has reddish eyes indicating its albinism. The skin appears smooth, glossy pink and without flaws.
"I have personally spotted the pink dolphin 40 to 50 times in the time since the original sighting as it has apparently taken up residence with its family in the Calcasieu ship channel.
"As time has passed the young mammal has grown and sometimes ventures away from its mother to feed and play but always remains in the vicinity of the pod.
"Surprisingly, it does not appear to be drastically affected by the environment or sunlight as might be expected considering its condition, although it tends to remain below the surface a little more than the others in the pod."
Regina Asmutis-Silvia, senior biologist with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said: "I have never seen a dolphin coloured in this way in all my career.
"It is a truly beautiful dolphin but people should be careful, as with any dolphins, to respect it - observe from a distance, limit their time watching, don't chase or harass it
"While this animal looks pink, it is an albino which you can notice in the pink eyes.
"Albinism is a genetic trait and it unclear as to the type of albinism this animal inherited."
A close relation of dolphins, the Amazon River Botos, called pink dolphins, live in South America in the Amazon. According to Calcasieu Charter Service's Web site, Capt. Erik Rue was on the lake June 24 with fishing customers when five dolphins came into view — four normal-looking gray ones, and a bright pink one that appeared to be an adolescent.
According to the captain, the pink dolphin appears to swimming with it's mother, who rarely leaves "Pinky's" side. Watch the video below.
"The mammal is entirely pink from tip to tail and has reddish eyes indicating its albinism. The skin appears smooth, glossy pink and without flaws.
"I have personally spotted the pink dolphin 40 to 50 times in the time since the original sighting as it has apparently taken up residence with its family in the Calcasieu ship channel.
"As time has passed the young mammal has grown and sometimes ventures away from its mother to feed and play but always remains in the vicinity of the pod.
"Surprisingly, it does not appear to be drastically affected by the environment or sunlight as might be expected considering its condition, although it tends to remain below the surface a little more than the others in the pod."
Regina Asmutis-Silvia, senior biologist with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said: "I have never seen a dolphin coloured in this way in all my career.
"It is a truly beautiful dolphin but people should be careful, as with any dolphins, to respect it - observe from a distance, limit their time watching, don't chase or harass it
"While this animal looks pink, it is an albino which you can notice in the pink eyes.
"Albinism is a genetic trait and it unclear as to the type of albinism this animal inherited."
A close relation of dolphins, the Amazon River Botos, called pink dolphins, live in South America in the Amazon. According to Calcasieu Charter Service's Web site, Capt. Erik Rue was on the lake June 24 with fishing customers when five dolphins came into view — four normal-looking gray ones, and a bright pink one that appeared to be an adolescent.
According to the captain, the pink dolphin appears to swimming with it's mother, who rarely leaves "Pinky's" side. Watch the video below.
Wow, that is a "pretty in pink" dolphin!
ReplyDeleteYes it is! And they're so friendly (which isn't uncommon for Dolphin), but the Albinos are like little babies and they love attention. If you're ever in Hong Kong or South America, get out in the Amazon and you'll see them.
ReplyDeleteMy family and I went crabbing July 5, 2007 and spotted "Pinky" right next to the ferry. She and the others were having a great time.
ReplyDeleteMichele
Gonzales, LA