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| Pink elephant is caught on camera | Pink elephant is caught on camera |
| (1 day later) | |
| A pink baby elephant has been caught on camera in Botswana. | A pink baby elephant has been caught on camera in Botswana. |
| A wildlife cameraman took pictures of the calf when he spotted it among a herd of about 80 elephants in the Okavango Delta. | A wildlife cameraman took pictures of the calf when he spotted it among a herd of about 80 elephants in the Okavango Delta. |
| Experts believe it is probably an albino, which is an extremely rare phenomenon in African elephants. | Experts believe it is probably an albino, which is an extremely rare phenomenon in African elephants. |
| They are unsure of its chances of long-term survival - the blazing African sunlight may cause blindness and skin problems for the calf. | They are unsure of its chances of long-term survival - the blazing African sunlight may cause blindness and skin problems for the calf. |
| Mike Holding, who spotted the baby while filming for a BBC wildlife programme, said: "We only saw it for a couple of minutes as the herd crossed the river. | Mike Holding, who spotted the baby while filming for a BBC wildlife programme, said: "We only saw it for a couple of minutes as the herd crossed the river. |
| "This was a really exciting moment for everyone in camp. We knew it was a rare sighting - no-one could believe their eyes."The harsh sun poses a serious threat to the animal's survival, say experts | "This was a really exciting moment for everyone in camp. We knew it was a rare sighting - no-one could believe their eyes."The harsh sun poses a serious threat to the animal's survival, say experts |
| Albino elephants are not usually white, but instead they have more of a reddish-brown or pink hue. | Albino elephants are not usually white, but instead they have more of a reddish-brown or pink hue. |
| While albinism is thought to be fairly common in Asian elephants, it is much less common in the larger African species. | While albinism is thought to be fairly common in Asian elephants, it is much less common in the larger African species. |
| Ecologist Dr Mike Chase, who runs conservation charity Elephants Without Borders, said: "I have only come across three references to albino calves, which have occurred in Kruger National Park in South Africa. | |
| Surviving this very rare phenomenon is very difficult in the harsh African bush Dr Mike Chase, Elephants Without Borders | |
| "This is probably the first documented sighting of an albino elephant in northern Botswana. | "This is probably the first documented sighting of an albino elephant in northern Botswana. |
| "We have been studying elephants in the region for nearly 10 years now, and this is the first documented evidence of an albino calf that I have come across." | "We have been studying elephants in the region for nearly 10 years now, and this is the first documented evidence of an albino calf that I have come across." |
| He said that the condition might make it difficult for the calf to survive into adulthood. | He said that the condition might make it difficult for the calf to survive into adulthood. |
| "What happens to these young albino calves remains a mystery," said Dr Chase. | "What happens to these young albino calves remains a mystery," said Dr Chase. |
| "Surviving this very rare phenomenon is very difficult in the harsh African bush. The glaring sun may cause blindness and skin problems." | "Surviving this very rare phenomenon is very difficult in the harsh African bush. The glaring sun may cause blindness and skin problems." |
| However, he told BBC News that there might be a ray of hope for the pink calf as it already seemed to be learning to adapt to its condition. | |
| I have learned that elephants are highly adaptable, intelligent and masters of survival Dr Mike Chase, Elephants Without Borders | |
| Dr Chase explained: "Because this elephant calf was sighted in the Okavango Delta, he may have a greater chance of survival. He can seek refuge under the large trees and cake himself in a thick mud, which will protect him from the Sun. | Dr Chase explained: "Because this elephant calf was sighted in the Okavango Delta, he may have a greater chance of survival. He can seek refuge under the large trees and cake himself in a thick mud, which will protect him from the Sun. |
| "Already the two-to-three-month-old calf seems to be walking in the shade of its mother. | "Already the two-to-three-month-old calf seems to be walking in the shade of its mother. |
| "This behaviour suggests it is aware of its susceptibility to the harsh African sun, and adapted a unique behaviour to improve its chances of survival." | "This behaviour suggests it is aware of its susceptibility to the harsh African sun, and adapted a unique behaviour to improve its chances of survival." |
| He added: "I have learned that elephants are highly adaptable, intelligent and masters of survival." | He added: "I have learned that elephants are highly adaptable, intelligent and masters of survival." |