Awww : Extremely Adorable White Giraffe Spotted in the Wild

Omo has survived her first year despite being born with leucism - a condition which means only some of her skin cells can make Spots

She might stick out like a sore thumb against the greenery of the African bush, but these are in fact vary rare pictures of a seldom-spotted white giraffe .

Omo is a 15-month old 'pale' calf with leucism - a condition which means only some of her skin cells can make pigment.
As opposed to albinsim, which is characterised by red or blue eyes and pure white skin, she is considered 'pale' - but her survival in the wild is still impressive.

Ecologist Dr Derek Lee, founder and scientist at the Wild Nature Institute , snapped the giraffe roaming around Tarangire National Park, in Tanzania, along with the rest of her herd - who don't seem to notice her unusual colouring.
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Derek, 45, said: "Omo is the only pale giraffe we are currently aware of, but we have also observed leucistic waterbuck, cape buffalo and ostrich in Tarangire.

"Omo appears to get along with the other giraffes, she has always been seen with a large group of normally coloured giraffe - they don't seem to mind her different colouring.


Such A Beauty

Omo is now 15 months old - she survived her first year as a small calf, which is the most dangerous time for a young giraffe due to lion, leopard and hyena preying on them.

"Her chances of surviving to adulthood are good - but adult giraffe are regularly poached for bush meat, and her colouration might make her a target.

"We and our partners are working on giraffe conservation and anti-poaching to help give Omo and her relatives a better chance of survival.

"We hope that she lives a long life and that some day she has calves of her own."
Survival hopes: Having survived her first year, it is hoped Omo will one day have calves of her own

Wild Nature Institute carries out scientific research, public education and advocacy for the preservation of wild nature.

It is currently conducting the biggest ever giraffe research project, using giraffe's natural spot patters to identify every individual giraffe, documenting the lives of more than 2,100 giraffe in Tarangire National Park.



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Awww : Extremely Adorable White Giraffe Spotted in the Wild Awww : Extremely Adorable White Giraffe Spotted in the Wild Reviewed by Tboixy on February 01, 2016 Rating: 5

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