Whale-watchers off the coast of Japan were treated to an extraordinary sight when they witnessed two rare white orcas swimming together in the same pod.
This remarkable encounter occurred during a whale-watching tour on July 24 in the Kunashirskiy Strait, a 20-mile stretch of water between the northern islands of Hokkaido and Kunashir.
The sighting left onlookers in awe as they observed one older white orca with slightly darker skin and one younger orca with visible scratch marks on its back. The older whale had been seen around two years ago, but this marked the first time the younger animal had been spotted, and the first time both were seen together.
Mai, an employee of the Gojiraiwa-Kanko tour company, expressed her excitement, stating, “It was the best day ever. This is the first time two white orcas have been seen off the coast of Japan.”
These white orcas are not true albinos but are believed to have a condition called leucism, which partially removes pigment from their skin. Unlike true albinos, they still have some melanin and do not have red eyes. This condition explains why they retain the white patches around their chin and eyes, as well as their dark eyes.
White orcas and whales have become increasingly common, and scientists theorize that this may be due to the declining numbers of these animals, leading to decreased genetic diversity and the emergence of rare traits. While it’s unclear how leucism affects their lives, it does make them more visible, potentially affecting their hunting abilities and attracting attention from rivals.
The rise of these unique individuals underscores the importance of conservation efforts to protect these magnificent marine creatures and their habitats.
