Rare Albino Caribou Calf Spotted in Alaska

A rare albino caribou calf was recently photographed in Alaska, marking a potentially unprecedented event. Jordan Pruszenski, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, discovered the calf while conducting a routine count of caribou calves from a small plane north of Fairbanks. During this late June expedition, intended to assess the survival rate of caribou calves through their first month, Pruszenski noticed a white speck amidst the landscape.

Despite numerous previous observations, this encounter proved extraordinary. The white speck was indeed an albino caribou calf. Pruszenski expressed her astonishment, saying, “You could totally see it on the horizon, and then it steps onto the snow patch and totally disappears.” To capture the rare sight, the pilot redirected the plane for another pass, allowing Pruszenski to take several photographs of the calf, which exhibited “incredible, beady red eyes” and pink hooves.

This sighting provided not only a rare visual experience but also photographic evidence, a rarity in itself. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game last recorded an albino caribou calf in 1976. However, during that instance, the calf was observed only briefly through a spotting scope without any photographic documentation.

The survival prospects for the calf remain uncertain, given its distinctive white fur, which makes it more visible to predators. Pruszenski noted, “Once it steps off the snow, it really stands out.” The name of the albino caribou’s herd is not being disclosed to prevent people from seeking out the calf.

“If you happen to see it, it’d be great to let us know. But we don’t want people trying to bother the caribou. We want to give it the best chance to be a normal caribou,” Pruszenski emphasized.

Sean Joseph, a writer for OutKick, contributed to this report.