Albus, rare albino dolphin spotted in the Adriatic (PHOTO)

    It is the only known albino bottlenose dolphin in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean Sea. His name is Albus, in Latin "albus" means white, and he is already a celebrity of the sea to be protected. The rare albino dolphin had been spotted as early as May in the Adriatic by the biologists of the NETCET project - a network for the conservation of cetaceans and sea turtles in the Adriatic - researchers from the Blue World Institute and the non-profit Cetacea Foundation.



    He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him



    È the only known albino bottlenose dolphin in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean Sea. Is called Albus, in Latin "albus" means white, and it is already a celebrity of the sea to be protected. The rare albino dolphin had been spotted as early as May in the Adriatic by the biologists of the project NETCET- a network for the conservation of cetaceans and sea turtles in the Adriatic - the researchers of Blue World Institute and Cetacea Foundation onlus.

    Although its presence in the north Adriatic had already been reported, there was no adequate photographic evidence or detailed sighting data. According to what has been found, this is the first recorded sighting of albino bottlenose dolphins in the Adriatic and in the Mediterranean.

    Bottlenose dolphins have a black or gray color on the back and sides, light gray on the belly. THEtheir color depends on melanin, a pigment produced by epithelial cells. However, in cases like this, which also occur in other animals and even humans, individuals may lack the pigment due to genetic mutations and the skin appears pink or white. If there is no melanin in the eye, there is a distinct red colouration due to the fact that the blood vessels behind the eye can be seen through the clear iris. This state is called albinism and the affected animal is called albino.

    Albinism is extremely rare in Nature, result of a mutation in different genes. Depending on the genes affected, there may be animals with white body parts, partial albinism, or the whole body, including the eyes, is affected by this disease and then you have "real" albinism. To protect Albus, therefore, they initially chose not to disclose the news. The meeting took place, 15 miles from the shore, on 29 May at around 13,30.



    Albus, rare albino dolphin spotted in the Adriatic (PHOTO)

    Albus, rare albino dolphin spotted in the Adriatic (PHOTO)

    Albus, rare albino dolphin spotted in the Adriatic (PHOTO)

    “Why are we only reporting this now? Because the news had somehow leaked and therefore we couldn't anymore “Protect” Albus from curiosity, often harmful, of people. Fortunately we are at the end of summer, the summer marine traffic is decreasing and it is less likely that groups of onlookers will search for it. Anyone who spots him is requested to stay at a safe distance and, if he can take photos and videos, send them to us ”, explains the Cetacea Foundation.

    The albino dolphin is very rare, but not the only one. One of them is Angel, the albino dolphin puppy exhibited like a freak at the Taiji aquarium. Angel was captured last January in Taiji Bay, Japan, where the horrible hunt for cetaceans resumed yesterday.

    "Our Adriatic white bottlenose dolphin - reads a statement from the Cetacea Foundation - has a brighter future because he is free and, with our help, protected. The genetic mutation that leads to albinism can cause great sensitivity of the skin and eyes, partial blindness and various health problems ".



    For this reason, anyone who meets him is asked to report any report concerning him, sending photos, date and place of the sighting. The address to send photos and videos is info@blue-world.org and information@fondazionecetacea.org or info@blue-world.org.

    Because this is the only way humans should have to see dolphins live: in the open sea and without disturbing them.

    Roberta Ragni

    Read also:

    Let's help Angel, an albino dolphin captured in Taiji

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