June 13, 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the International Albinism Awareness Day. Animals, too, can be afflicted by albinism, a hereditary condition that prevents melanin production, leaving them without camouflage and highly vulnerable to predators.
In this photo feature, we spotlight remarkable albino individuals recorded worldwide in recent years, helping to raise awareness of their vulnerability and the importance of conservation efforts.
The world's only known all-white panda was captured by infrared cameras in February 2023, in the Wolong National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The spot is about 2,300 meters above sea level. /CMG
Rare all-white panda spotted on camera in SW China's Sichuan
A rare albino squirrel is seen in Edinburgh, the UK, November 21, 2020. /VCG
Rare white squirrel spotted in Edinburgh
The world's first red panda with albinism was captured on video in Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve at Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, southwest China. /CGTN
First albino red panda spotted in SW China nature reserve
A brown colored baby deer, named Miracle, who has albino deer parents, is seen in Kahramanmaras, Türkiye, June 19, 2022. /VCG
The brown calf of an albino deer family named "Miracle" was born
Leucism vs. albinism
Leucistic animals possess reduced pigment but retain normal eye coloration, whereas true albinos lack melanin entirely, resulting in pink or red eyes and white skin or fur.
(Cover: An albino red-billed blue magpie is spotted in Beijing, China, November 27, 2023. /VCG)