Albino Killer Whale

[krome2ez]

Meet ‘Iceberg’: Possibly the First Ever, Documented Adult Albino Killer Whale

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:30am by Liz Klimas

A team of researchers from the Far East Russia Orca Project spotted "Iceberg". He is the first white killer whale they've seen make it to adulthood. (Image: E.Lazareva/FEROP via RusianOrca.org)

A research team has recently discovered what they believe may be the orca version of Moby ****. Spotted off the eastern coast of Russia, the scientists saw what is being considered one of the first all-white, adult male killer whales ever documented — not to mention caught on film.

The scientists studying killer whales from the Far East Russia Orca Project first saw the white and potentially albino whale in the North Pacific, east of the Kamchatka Peninsula near the Commander Islands, according to a statement released yesterday. Appropriately, they’ve named the whale “Iceberg.”

(Image: E.Lazareva/FEROP via RusianOrca.org)

Check out this short clip of Iceberg: Go to link for video

“In many ways, Iceberg is a symbol of all that is pure, wild and extraordinarily exciting about what is out there in the ocean waiting to be discovered,” Erich Hoyt, FEROP co-director and Research Fellow from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said in the statement. “The challenge is to keep the ocean healthy so that such surprises are always possible.”

Iceberg is reported to live in a pod with 12 other orcas. MSNBC states that young all-white orcas have been seen in the same pod before but have not been recorded as making it to adulthood. Scientists believe this shows some of the unique attributes of Iceberg.

(Image: E.Lazareva/FEROP via RusianOrca.org)

The researchers hope to gain more information about Iceberg, his pod, and other pods in the protected area to help raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation plans. If the scientists show that Iceberg’s pod is a different species other than traditional orcas, which they believe it could be, it would be cause for a more extensive conservation plan accommodating to both species.

“With regard to Iceberg’s pod, we have no genetic data but we are hoping to meet them again in summer 2012 and learn more about the phenomenon of white whales, why they occur, what it means and whether Iceberg is a true albino — perhaps we can catch a glimpse of a pink eye — or “just” one of the most beautiful orcas anyone has ever seen,” Hoyt wrote in a blog post.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/meet-iceberg-possibly-the-first-ever-documented-adult-albino-killer-whale/

[Man_Kind]

I looks as if one of the Orcas is warring a tipped over sailboat for hat . No ?

Just kidding !

Cool article , thanks

[wpsmit]

Did anyone catch the ABC news article on Orca vs. Great White Shark? Really cool!

[bamagirl]

Thanks for posting krome....I wish they could get a better pic, I bet its beautiful!

[dog53]

Did anyone catch the ABC news article on Orca vs. Great White Shark? Really cool!

No but I saw Godzilla vs. kingkong once

[Dogmatic1]

Absolutely gorgeous! I watched a documentary on albino animals in the wild and fell in love with a white male lion. It was ghostly and majestic at the same time. Beautiful animal.

[Ms.Bean]

Approves this message

[Nelg]

Albino Spirit animals

by Gerald Musinsky

Most all every Native American tribe had some manner of "spirit" belief regarding albino animals. The Albino was protected by most Native American customs. Within the Northeastern Woodlands, Leni Lenape, Susquehannock, Iroquois (Six Nations) etc. One primary principle: The Albino was not to be hunted or killed. This taboo carried various curses. According to Bear Two Arrows (Eastern Delaware), knowledgeable of owl medicine, the taboo and its various curses are known among more respectful contemporary hunters with or without Native American ancestry. He relates his own experience regarding an albino owl, and it's connection to owl spirit medicine. [Leni Lenape words for: white, Wapsu; owl, Gokhos.] If an albino squirrel were hunted and killed, the hunter would suffer loss of his hunting abilities. If an albino deer were killed (and without remorse) the hunter might later loose his life in a freak accident often involving his hunting or survival skills. The general belief in certain legends concerning various individual animals persists into the 20th century, many of which can be documented. Among all tribes, the Albino animal had spirit connections, one of the strongest among the Plains tribe was the White Buffalo, a definite omen of great wisdom. The symbolic significance behind white or the quality of "whiteness" was not associated with purity as in Western culture but also wisdom and ancient knowledge of greater conceptual and spiritual magnitude. Depending on the animal species involved and how it corresponds within the greater tribal cosmological context sometimes manifests the extent of the consequences when the taboo is broken. Belief in the "spirit nature" of albino animals and the ritual taboo of protection probably has its roots in the fact that an albino's ability to survive natural predators is greatly reduced by the lack of proper pigmentation for camouflage and keener vision to spot prey. These natural attributes render an albino "unfair" game for the Native hunter, or any hunter aware of the spiritual nature these animals might possess. Even the skin or hides of these animals must be treated with reverence. Following the customs of these legends regarding the hunting and trapping restrictions were not in as much out of fear for the taboo but more so with respect to the higher aspect of Nature and the Creator.