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    Biologists find albino among Brazil dolphins

    RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian biologists have found an extremely rare example of an albino dolphin among an endangered species that lives off the southern coast of South America.

    The research group, based at Univille university in Santa Catarina, said Thursday that it was the first recorded instance of an albino in the pontoporia blainvillei species, a very shy type of dolphin that rarely jumps out of the water. It's known in Brazil as Toninha and in Argentina and Uruguay as the La Plata or Franciscana dolphin.

    Camilla Meirelles Sartori, the lead biologist of Project Toninhas, said she first saw the white calf with pinkish fins at the end of October. Her group photographed him in early November.

    "We were surprised, shocked," Sartori said. "It's very small, and the color is really different. We didn't know what it was at first."

    Sartori said the baby was with an adult, probably its mother. The young live on their mother's milk until they are six months old and remain dependent on the adult until they're a year old.

    The species is endangered. Its dolphins have long, thin snouts and get easily tangled in fishing nets. They can drown or die of stress if not quickly released, Sartori said.

    Since Herman Melville created the albino whale Moby Dick in 1851, rare albino marine mammals have held a special fascination.

    Albinism is the lack of melanin pigments in the body, giving an individual very light or white skin and hair. Little is known about the genetic predisposition in dolphins because it's so unusual.

    Sartori said the rarity of the baby spotted by her group only highlights the need to preserve the Bay of Babitonga in the southern Brazil state of Santa Catarina, where this population of endangered dolphins lives.

    "Albino animals generally have fewer chances of survival because they have greater chances of being caught by predators," Sartori said. "Here, in this bay, they don't have natural predators. But there is a lot of environmental degradation from two ports, industrial and residential sewage, tourism. This is an another argument for its protection."

     

    575 comments

    • bilmac  •  Toledo, United States  •  5 mths ago
      please leave it alone
      • Ally 5 mths ago
        There is a guy down the page that said something about japanese people and dolphins.
      • someone 5 mths ago
        yeah ally, there is a cove where they round up dolphins into by the hundreds and kill them. traping them with nets, seperating babies from the mothers. I believe some are sold to zoos and rest are shot and killed. I seen a video some guys made about it, the fishermen who round them up will harass the guys, block their view, follow them and more so they couldnt get a full on shot of what was going on.
    • Naak  •  Pinole, United States  •  5 mths ago
      "If humans could put rainbows in zoos, they would"
      -Bill Watterson

      It would be ten times more engaging and mysterious if we left it free in the wild...don't you think?
      • It is I that guy 5 mths ago
        Umm...isn't it being recorded "free in the wild"?
      • MyPc 5 mths ago
        did you read the article? they don't want to put it in a zoo, they wanted to make a case to preserve it's natural habitat.
      • MyPc 5 mths ago
        *its
    • anno  •  Tujunga, United States  •  5 mths ago
      I hope and pray Brazil protects these beautiful creatures.
      • Sharer 5 mths ago
        unlike what the others done in denmark.
      • JamesT 5 mths ago
        Just like their rainforests!
      • marcela 5 mths ago
        I hope any american take this for Disney show !
    • my2cents  •  5 mths ago
      So beautiful, just like a dove.
      • Beetle Juice 5 mths ago
        You must have done bad on standardized tests. I mean what is the commonality between a dove and a dolphin? They are both animals??? That's like someone saying: "So beautiful, just like a hamburger,"
      • Mas 5 mths ago
        what a truly stupid statement.
        comparing an annoying dirty dove to a rare dolphin????
      • Autumn Leaves 5 mths ago
        wow, don't worry 2cents, Beetle here doesn't get it and is too caught up in facts than appreciating beauty. "If you think you know everything, you cannot learn anything"
    • Wesley  •  Tybee Island, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Mother Nature's beautiful gift. Keep it safe!
    • Josh  •  New York, United States  •  5 mths ago
      How can we help protect them? This is really amazing!
      • Makes U Think 5 mths ago
        Josh , put your head in the toilet , and flush it !
      • Mike 5 mths ago
        Josh give me all your money, then I can help them.
      • A Yahoo! User 5 mths ago
        Good question
    • Tennis111  •  5 mths ago
      So beautiful...now, lets hope that humans will leave it alone.
    • sharonm  •  Fayetteville, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Help dolphins and other sea creatures. Stop using plastic bags.
    • tintobean  •  Irvine, United States  •  5 mths ago
      no kidding how cool. Hope its not captured or killed.
    • Chickiie  •  5 mths ago
      aww that is awesome!!!
    • Jonathan  •  Los Angeles, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Leave it alone
    • Brittany  •  St. Louis, United States  •  5 mths ago
      This is so awesome to see. The rarity of this caught in a photo is astounding. Great picture.
    • Voice of Survival  •  5 mths ago
      It's beautiful.
    • joechgo  •  Chicago, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Wow....have never seen one! Very cool!
    • Casper  •  Knoxville, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Being an albino myself, I can understand the absolute sanctity of this beautiful life....... albinism occurs in many forms of animals, plants and reptiles...... it is a truly spiritual moment to see one my kindred spirits... let this dolphin be, so he may continue this most special of genetic gifts! This little baby is wild and wonderful. and most of all free! Albinism is the truest representation of nature's beauty and diversity, and I for one, am glad to be an albino....... my life has been blessed because of it!!!
    • GabrielR  •  Los Angeles, United States  •  5 mths ago
      I love seeing these beautiful creates in their natural state: young, wild and free! =)
    • kthalejo  •  5 mths ago
      Don't go near Japan!
    • Boots  •  5 mths ago
      I love dolphins.
    • Nicole  •  Charleston, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Awe its like an albino deer they are so beautiful & no one should harm it they are a good sign !
    • Juliet  •  5 mths ago
      Hope someone protects it!! Now all the "unique" collectors are going to want to stuff it and mount it on their wall to show off that they have albino dolphin. I'll pray for your long life Albino Dolphin!
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