These incredible images show a rare white giraffe with no markings on its body grazing with the rest of its herd in the African bush.
The Rothschild giraffe, which has lost pigmentation in its hide because of a rare condition, was spotted roaming. Its herd seemed completely oblivious to her unusual colouring, according to photographer Jamie Manuel.
Mr Manuel said he is one of the only people to have captured images of the white giraffe since rumours of its existence emerged in February this year.
The animal has leucism, a condition where there is a partial loss of pigmentation resulting in white, pale or patchy colouration of skin or hair. Unlike albinism it is caused by a reduction in multiple types of pigment, not just melanin.
'Word was sent out that we were on the trail of the white giraffe and slowly herders sent word back of the general area it had last been seen in. He said that on the second day of searching he found a 20-strong herd in a clearing in the forest - and that the white giraffe was among them.
'The rangers were thrilled to get a closer look, and were pleased to see that the animal looked healthy and was feeding well,' he added. 'I finally managed to photograph the giraffe at close quarters and immediately wondered if it was albino or leucistic.
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The Rothschild giraffe, which has lost pigmentation in its hide because of a rare condition, was spotted roaming. Its herd seemed completely oblivious to her unusual colouring, according to photographer Jamie Manuel.
Mr Manuel said he is one of the only people to have captured images of the white giraffe since rumours of its existence emerged in February this year.
The animal has leucism, a condition where there is a partial loss of pigmentation resulting in white, pale or patchy colouration of skin or hair. Unlike albinism it is caused by a reduction in multiple types of pigment, not just melanin.
'Word was sent out that we were on the trail of the white giraffe and slowly herders sent word back of the general area it had last been seen in. He said that on the second day of searching he found a 20-strong herd in a clearing in the forest - and that the white giraffe was among them.
'The rangers were thrilled to get a closer look, and were pleased to see that the animal looked healthy and was feeding well,' he added. 'I finally managed to photograph the giraffe at close quarters and immediately wondered if it was albino or leucistic.
Source
Love it :)