'Extremely rare' pink elephant spotted swimming with its family

29 February 2024 , 16:05

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The little elephant bull enjoying swim session with family in South Africa's Kruger Park (Image: Theo Potgieter/SWNS)

A real pink elephant has been spotted in the wild in a rare sighting.

The little bull was seen enjoying a swim session with his family in South Africa earlier this month. Safari operator Theo Potgieter captured the unusual sight at the Olifants (Elephants in Afrikaans language) River in Kruger National Park on February 9. He said: "A handful of sightings have been reported of this young bull late 2023, but to my knowledge there is no footage.

"As a safari operator frequently visiting Kruger National Park I have been lucky enough to have witnessed animals with a recessive gene before including: impala antelope, wildebeest, lion and various birds. I knew that this was a special moment and grabbed the camera to start shooting for confirmation footage. What a pleasant surprise."

"Albinism in African elephants are extremely rare with only 1 out of 10 000 births resulting in a lighter coloured elephant. I would estimate the young bull to be one year old, and although complex group dynamics often result in individuals with the recessive gene to be rejected, this little guy was tolerated by all members of the group and seemed to have perfectly fit in."

Rom Preston-Ellis