Nature
2020.09.18 11:06 GMT+8

First albino red panda spotted in SW China nature reserve

Updated 2020.09.18 11:06 GMT+8

A wild red panda with albinism was recently captured on video in Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve at Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Sichuan Province. It is the first documented case in China and even the world.

The hair on the red panda's body, ears, and nose is white. The color of its paws remain brown, and its eyes and mouth are black. Based on the panda's external features seen in videos and photos, experts judged that the red panda is albino.

Albinism is widespread in vertebrates, but it is relatively rare. It is usually caused by a genetic mutation that makes animals unable to produce melanin normally. The subject requires further research through continuous field monitoring to understand whether the albino gene will be passed down.

(Cover image is a screenshot.)

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