Pinky (dolphin)

Pinky is an albino bottlenose dolphin found in Calcasieu Lake, Louisiana.[1] Pinky was first spotted in June 2007 by a boat captain, Erik Rue. In 2015, Rue was able to capture photo evidence of Pinky mating, proving that she is female.[2] The dolphin has become a tourist attraction, and conservationists have asked visitors to leave the dolphin alone.[3] Pinky's behavior is similar to the rest of the dolphins in her pod, although she tends to spend more time underwater.[3]

Coloring

Although it is quite rare to see an albino animal in the wild, Pinky has a few signs that appear confirm her albinism. Blood vessels and eyes with a red-ish hue can be seen through Pinky's skin, a key indicator that the cells that normally make pigment melanin, are hardly active in this dolphins body.[4] Although albinism can be hereditary, it is unknown if Pinky's parents were of a pinkish/white hue or if they simply carried the specific mutation of a gene that they passed down to Pinky.[4]

In 2017, a video was taken showing two albino dolphins swimming in the lake, presumed to be Pinky and her calf.[5]

References
  1. "Pink dolphin appears in US lake". The Daily Telegraph. March 9, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  2. "Pinkie, the Rare Pink Dolphin, Spotted in Louisiana Waters Confirmed a Female". ABC News. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  3. "Protecting A National Treasure: Pinky The Pink Dolphin and Her Calf". Pegasus. 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  4. "How Did Rare Pink Dolphin Get Its Color?". National Geographic News. 2015-09-09. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  5. Sivarajah, Lishyarini (2019-05-06). "A rare pink dolphin named 'Pinky' is now a mother of an adorable pink calf". Good Times. Retrieved 2020-10-14.


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