A baby elephant with albinism, a rare condition, is thriving in the wild despite its challenges. Born in April this year in Maasai Mara, Kenya, this unique calf was captured on camera by a wildlife photographer who noticed its distinct pink skin.
Mostafa Elbrolosy, a ranger at a local safari camp, shared his excitement with the Daily Mail about witnessing this extraordinary sight.
Elbrolosy had heard about the calf’s birth but was amazed to see it in person. He described the opportunity to photograph such a rare animal as a dream come true.
“Rare creatures always capture the imagination of wildlife photographers, and seeing and photographing this unique baby was an incredible experience,” Elbrolosy said.
After learning of the birth via radio, he quickly grabbed his camera and set out with a guide to find the calf.
After an extensive search, they were thrilled to finally spot the calf, as few people had expected it to be an albino.
Elbrolosy observed that the calf was thriving despite the harsh sunlight—challenging for a young animal.
At just eight hours old, its herd closely monitored it, attempting to nurse and walking alongside its mother. Witnessing this rare event was truly exhilarating.
Albinism, caused by a lack of pigment production, produces pale skin and pink eyes. This condition can affect vision and potentially lead to blindness as the elephant grows older.
While some elephants may have patches of non-pigmented skin, true albinos sometimes face rejection from their peers due to their unusual appearance.