Incredibly unique white giraffeshave been caught on camera for the very first time.
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Giraffe from Kenya
The footagewas recorded in Kenya back in 2017. The two giraffes—a mother and her calf—were observed. When the video was originally posted on YouTube, it immediately went viral, gaining the attention of many who had never seen anything of the sort.
Many were quick to say that the giraffes were suffering from albinism, but the explanation for their white coat is far more rare. The giraffes had a genetic conditionknown as 'leucism,' which affects the pigment in their skin. It differs from albinism in that animals with leucism continue to produce pigment in their soft tissue, which explains their dark eyes.
Similar case observed in the past
While the condition is rare, it is not completely unknown. Leucism has previously been found in a baby giraffe as well as a moose. Luckily, the condition does not affect the animal's quality of life but attracts some unwanted attention from poachers.
Unfortunately, the mother and her calf were killed by poachers just a few years later. Today, only the male giraffe stands alone. He has been fitted with a GPS tracking device so that rangers can monitor his movements and detect any unusual activities.
