Rare white giraffe spotted in Tanzania

Tuesday, January 26, 2016, 2:38 PM - Earlier this month, a rare white giraffe was spotted in Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. Animal experts say the young female is leucistic, i.e., its body surface cells aren't capable of making pigment, amd not albino.

The key difference is the colour of the animal's eyes. Albino animals tend to have red or pink eyes while leucistic animals do not.

The giraffe, which is referred to as Omo, was first spotted by members of the Wild Nature Institute last January.

"We were lucky enough to resight her again this January, almost exactly one year later," the organization writes on its website.

"We are thrilled that she is still alive and well."

Dr. Derek Lee, founder of the Wild Nature Institute, told Bored Panda other giraffes don't appear to be bothered by her strange colouring, and she is often seen with a large group.

According to Dr. Lee, Omo is the only pale giraffe he and his associates are aware of.

While rare, leucism can be found in most breeds of animals -- from horses, to lions, to peacocks.

In 2014, a rare lecistic penguin was spotted during a National Geographic-led expedition.

Video of the penguin quickly went viral.

Sources: Wild Nature Institute | Bored Panda