Rare Blue Whale with Albinism Spotted in National Park in 'Unprecedented Milestone'

At least 30 blue whales have been spotted in the waters of Loreto Bay National Park this season

NEED TO KNOW

• A rare blue whale with albinism was spotted off the coast of Loreto, Mexico, in the marine area of Loreto Bay National Park
• The National Commission for Natural Protected Areas confirmed the discovery via a press release shared by the Mexican government on Friday, March 6
• The organization noted that “30 distinct blue whales” have been spotted in the same waters this season alongside humpback whales and fin whales

A rare blue whale with albinism was spotted off the coast of Loreto, Mexico, in what is being heralded as "an unprecedented milestone for marine biology."

According to a Friday, March 6 press release from the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas, the whale was seen in the waters of Loreto Bay National Park.

Citing confirmed sightings of "30 distinct blue whales," including the all-white whale, in the area this season — including a mother and her calf — the Mexican government said this was evidence that Loreto was "a vital breeding and refuge area for this species."

During this season, the whales have also been spotted closer to the shore than in the past, thought to be due to "a massive upsurge of nutrients that has generated an extraordinary availability of krill." Blue whales, the largest whale species in the world, can eat as much as four tons of krill a day, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which notes that blue whales can reach sizes over 100 feet.

Blue whales are classified as "endangered" by the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Weighing in at 200 tons, a mature blue whale is comparable to 30 elephants. Experts estimate that there are as many as 15,000 blue whales worldwide.

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In addition to blue whales, both humpback and fin whales have been spotted in Loreto this season. In their press release, Mexico noted this as evidence "solidifying Loreto's position as a global benchmark for marine wildlife viewing."

Albinism is a rare condition that results in an animal appearing white or much lighter than other animals of its species, according to National Geographic.

"In mammals, albinism occurs when an individual inherits one or more mutated genes from both parents that interfere with the body's production of melanin, the main pigment that determines the color of skin, fur, and eyes," the outlet wrote.

The National Commission for Natural Protected Areas reported that albinism is particularly rare among whales, and that blue whales with albinism are rarely seen in the wild. It is estimated that only 0.0025% of whales have the genetic mutation.

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