In what might be considered a very rare sighting, whale watchers off the coast of Japan spotted two white orcas swimming side by side, with one of them even being unknown to the crew, amid a pod of 10 orcas.
On July 24, three crew members, the boat’s captain, and about 40 guests were exploring a 20-mile stretch of water in the Nemuro Strait between Rausu—a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site—and Kunashiri Island, Mai Ogawa of Gojiraiwa-Kanko tour company explained.
“I am a member of the crew [and a] guide, but actually I was working at the office on that day,” 31-year-old Mai, who lives in Rausu, told The Epoch Times.
Describing the moment further, Mai said that the team were “leaving the Rausu port and running offshore. When running about three miles, we discovered a pod of orcas.”
Two white orcas, one older and another younger, soon became visible; judged to be a male and a female from the size of their bodies and dorsal fins.
“Whale watchers were really surprised. They were excited,” said Mai; “Most of the guests have never seen a wild orca before they come here.”
The captain and crew were more excited than the guests, she admitted, because they know white orca sightings are a very rare occurrence. Gojiraiwa-Kanko crews have previously reported a white orca in 2019, but haven’t seen one since, and remain unsure whether this was the same whale.
“We are not sure that they [have] albinism or leucism,” Mai said of the white pair. “True albinos will have completely white skin and red eyes, but we [could not] observe clearly.”
Albinism is an inherited trait characterized by a lack of melanin production. Leucism, by contrast, is a genetic mutation that inhibits the deposit of melanin in the skin and hair, or fur, and can appear as patches on the body.
In close-up shots, it is possible to see dark, visible scarring of unknown origin on the torso of the younger white orca due to the lack of pigmentation in the skin. While eye-catching to wildlife lovers, albinism and leucism may put wild animals at a disadvantage by making them more visible to both prey and potential predators.
Mai was surprised and delighted that the tour company’s social media posts went global. “I would like so many people to watch this video and photos,” she told The Epoch Times, adding, “When the coronavirus situation settles down, please come to visit here and join us!”
According to marine biologist Stephanie Hayes, only around 10 white orca sightings have ever been recorded. Yet, more sightings mean more opportunities to study white orcas, their behavior, and how to protect them.
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