Rare White Elephant

An amazing sighting of a big herd of elephant chasing away 5 lions became even more amazing when, out of the herd, emerged a white elephant. This term is refers to an albino (no pigment) or leucistic (lack of pigment) elephant. Even thought they are not truly white, the lack of pigment can be clearly seen in the pink skin all over his body. The legs were pinkish, as well as the trunk, around its mouth and eyes, and behind its ears. Its hair, especially eyelashes and tail hair, were blond. I don’t know of many records found in the Kruger Park of white elephants, most of them being of young animals. This could be due to fact that they tend to darken as they age, and older elephants cover themselves with mud to keep the sun off their sensitive skin. This particular individual I would estimate to between 15 and 20 years old and appeared to be a male. It was seen near the Mavumbye watering hole on the S90, north of Satara. Even now, I am sure that this would remain one of the highlights of the year.

 

Simon Vegter

Wild Wings Safaris

www.wild-wings.co.za

 

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