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Ghostly white penguin sighted - 16th February 2024

A rare white Gentoo penguin has been spotted in the Antarctic. Gentoo penguins are normally characterised by their black and white plumage and striking reddish-orange bills.

The sighting was in the vicinity of the Gabriel Videla base, a former research station functioning as a museum to summer visitors. Hugo Harros, a Chilean amateur nature photographer working as a cook at the base, was fortunate enough to be the first to glimpse it.

Hugo Harros: "When we came across this specimen, the crew was very impressed, and we quickly wanted to take pictures for our memories."

Despite its indisputable rarity, a comparable sighting of a white Gentoo actually took place eight years ago, yet whether this is the same specimen or a relative is unknown.

The lack of black pigmentation in the feathers is caused by a genetic mutation known as leucism, which involves a recessive gene, as marine biologist Diego Mojica explains.

Diego Mojica: "Leucism is the consequence of a recessive gene that seems to be somehow hereditary. Out of thousands of penguins, a certain percentage may be born with leucism."

While creatures such as whales, alligators and bison, can be similarly affected by leucism, the condition contrasts with albinism as it doesn't impact eye colour, and pigmentation loss may only be partial.

Although Gentoo penguins are commonly sighted around the base, colonies are shrinking in size as a result of habitat degeneration and human interference. Standing out from the crowd makes this unique female penguin vulnerable to predators, given that she'll be easy prey when plunging underwater for food.

Proud to have snapped the penguin, Hugo Harros is optimistic that his images will help educate people about the Gentoo species.

Hugo Harros: "As an amateur nature photographer I wanted to capture this image as a souvenir. I would also like to educate people through photography. This is one of my main goals."