An extremely rare, partially albino, ginger seal pup has been found on the island of Tyuleny by marine biologist Vladimir Burkanov.
A rare ginger seal pup has been spotted on the island of Tyuleny in the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia, by marine mammal biologist Vladimir Burkanov.
The pup was born less than a month ago, and is partially albino, meaning it has golden fur, pink flippers, and blue eyes.
Experts have said that the chances of a partial albino seal birth are 1 in 100,000. A few years ago, another ginger seal pup, Nafanya, was rejected by its colony because of its different look. Burkanov fears that the same may happen to this newfound ginger pup due to some early signs of it being shunned, but as of yet, the seal has not become a total outcast.
https://twitter.com/NaturelsLit/status/1304308642766708736
“This pup looks well-fed and was very active, so its mother clearly gave it plenty of milk. Other seals don’t pay too much attention to it in a somewhat worrying manner, so something is not quite right with it. But it is not getting chased or bitten,” Burkanov described to the Siberian Times.
Based on his extensive research and knowledge in this field, Burkanov believes this pup has bad eyesight and its chances of growing old and breeding are quite slim.
This ginger seal pup 🥺 pic.twitter.com/8Sns9UYlvY
— Tay Shea (@Taylorshea96) September 11, 2020
Not to worry though, the little pup will now be monitored, and if does get rejected by its peers, it will be rescued and most likely taken to a Russian dolphinarium just like Nafanya.
https://twitter.com/katyldorman/status/1304939920130281473
