A Chinese nature reserve has captured a photo of what is believed to be the world's first albino panda. The Wolong national nature reserve in the south-western province of Sichuan released a photo taken in April of an all-white giant panda in the wild, crossing through a forest.
Scientists later confirmed that the panda's white fur and reddish eyes were in fact caused by albinism. This genetic disease is a total lack of melanin in the skin. Around 1 in 10,000 animals are affected by the condition
The statement from the reserve said that the panda appeared to be in good physical condition, and had a normal gait. The panda is believed to be around a year old
Many albino animals struggle in the wild. The lack of melanin means their eyes don't develop properly so they struggle with depth perception; albino predators regularly die of starvation because prey can't see them coming; it causes social issues, albino animals are shunned when it comes to mating; because of this, most albino animals are captured and kept in captivity.
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The white panda is quite an incredible sighting, considering there are only around 2,000 pandas in China, and given how rarely albinism manifests. Brown pandas, whose fur colour is also considered to be caused by a mutation, have previously been sighted in China’s Qingling mountains in Shaanxi province.
Authorities also said the reserve would install more infrared cameras to track the albino panda and its development. Scientists also expressed hope of seeing its offspring.
