Stéphanie Hayes, a marine biology PhD candidate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, had an incredibly rare encounter with a white orca. Hayes stated in a social media post that there are only around 5 of these animals alive in the world.
In the Instagram post, Hayes said that the animal is two years old and comes from the Canadian Bigg’s/ Transient Killer Whale pod T046. The whale is named Tl’uk.
‘Tl’uk’ means moon in the language of the Salish peoples of the Pacific Northwest. The animal hasn’t left its family group yet.
‘A once in a lifetime sighting, killer whales with leucism are incredibly rare and even researchers never expect to see one in their career. Tl’uk appears to be a healthy member of his pod, and we welcome him on his first documented sighting in Alaska!’ said Hayes.
A white killer whale, spotted in early August, swims in the waters of Southeast Alaska. Image credit: Stéphanie Hayes
Leucism is the partial loss of pigmentation, where skin, hair, feathers or scales appears white, pale or patchy in colour but not the eyes.
‘There was a collective gasp from everybody on the bow,’ Hayes said in a statement. ‘There have only been about eight white killer whales ever recorded in the world. To have one in Southeast was an incredible phenomenon.’
When Tl’uk does leave its family group, as members will eventually kick it out, the white skin may become disadvantageous. Prey may be able to see the animal approaching and flee.
Hayes said that it may also have difficulty joining a new pod. ‘A new pod might not accept it after it reaches sexual maturity.’
Take a look at the rare encounter below:
