As a safari guide, seeing the animal kingdom’s magic is a typical workday. However, one guide in South Africa had to do a double-take after they saw a pink elephant calf playing in a waterhole.
According to Theo Potgieter, a guide and safari operator, via a Facebook post, this extremely rare, adorable calf was bathing in the Olifants River in Kruger National Park.
As you can see, this pink-hued calf is having a field day playing in the water with other elephants.
So why does this calf look like it belongs less in the wild and more in a Disney movie? As Potgieter describes, this calf likely has albinism. This rare genetic mutation halts the production of melanin. As a result, it creates pigment in their eyes, hair, and skin.
Potgieter also noted that only about 1 in 10,000 elephants are born with the disease. However, this calf isn’t the first he’s seen with the distinct coloration.
While this elephant is obviously a part of the herd, animal researchers have noted that other animals with albinism are sometimes cast out from the group. Sadly, they often have to live life alone and away from their herd.
Yet, per accounts from Potgieter, the albino elephant calves he’s seen were fully integrated with the herd and thriving. He describes the rest of the herd as protective and patient with the unique calves.
While this colorful creature is mesmerizing people online, there are other equally rare animals worldwide with the same disease. For instance, officials in China recently caught a glimpse the world’s only known albino panda. In addition, a Tennessee couple was left speechless after they spotted a rare albino deer. To put that rarity into perspective, you have a 1 in 30,000 chance of catching a glimpse of an albino deer.
