How many of you have ever seen a white giraffe? Even much less a normal-looking giraffe with your own two eyes? I know I have. But seeing one with white pigmentation is something extremely unique and rare.
Recently two white giraffes were spotted in Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy in Garissa county. The area is managed by the Hirola Conservation Programme (HCP), an NGO dedicated to preserving the critically endangered hirola antelope, one of the rarest in the world.
The HCP said that the giraffes were first spotted in June by a local villager. The reason for their white colour is that they suffer from a genetic condition called ( big word alert!) leucism, which inhibits pigmentation in cells. Unlike albinism, animals with leucism can still produce dark pigmentation that can be seen in their eyes and skin.
Even if this condition is caused by a genetic abnormality wouldn’t you agree that these giraffes are very beautiful to look at? Here is the video the HCP released of the two giraffes:
