There are two species of dolphins that come in pink; the Chinese white dolphin (Sousa chinensis chinensis) of the Pearl River Delta and the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) that can be found in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. While these dolphins are lighter in colour than their seafaring cousins, its the albino river dolphins that come in the most fantastic pink hues.
Its this rare form of albinism that resulted in a particularly pink dolphin which was recently spotted in an inland lake in Louisiana by charter boat captain Erik Rue. From the Telegraph:
“I just happened to see a little pod of dolphins, and I noticed one that was a little lighter. It was absolutely stunningly pink. I had never seen anything like it. It’s the same color throughout the whole body and it looks like it just came out of a paint booth.”
Regina Asmutis-Silvia, senior biologist with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said: “I have never seen a dolphin coloured in this way in all my career.
“It is a truly beautiful dolphin but people should be careful, as with any dolphins, to respect it – observe from a distance, limit their time watching, don’t chase or harass it.”
Check out this River Dolphin’s moves:
*Feature image from the Telegraph.
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These are awesome – pink dolphins are like the unicorns of the sea. Amazing…
Ha ha! I guess they are. I wonder if you get pink narwhals?
Oh my, these are really amazing! I love dolphins and thought I knew everything about them, but I have never even heard of these. The video is really sweet!
Hi Brandy – a rare form of albinism causes the pink coloration – its pretty spectacular isn’t it?