The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Member Map
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. Life Sciences
  3. Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution
  4. How does a pink elephant come about?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Down

How does a pink elephant come about?

  • 1 Replies
  • 3167 Views
  • 0 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

paul.fr

  • Guest
How does a pink elephant come about?
« on: 22/03/2009 07:52:22 »
Pink elephants and lemonade....

Pink elephant is caught on camera

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

 pink baby elephant has been caught on camera in Botswana.

A wildlife cameraman took pictures of the calf when he spotted it among a herd of about 80 elephants in the Okavango Delta.

Experts believe it is probably an albino, which is an extremely rare phenomenon in African elephants.

They are unsure of its chances of long-term survival - the blazing African sunlight may cause blindness and skin problems for the calf.

Mike Holding, who spotted the baby while filming for a BBC wildlife programme, said: "We only saw it for a couple of minutes as the herd crossed the river.

 
The baby elephant seems to be sheltering under its mother to protect itself from the sun


"This was a really exciting moment for everyone in camp. We knew it was a rare sighting - no-one could believe their eyes."

Documented evidence

Albino elephants are not usually white, but instead they have more of a reddish-brown or pink hue.

While albinism is thought to be fairly common in Asian elephants, it is much less common in the larger African species.   
 Surviving this very rare phenomenon is very difficult in the harsh African bush

Dr Mike Chase, Elephants Without Borders

Ecologist Dr Mike Chase, who runs conservation charity Elephants Without Borders, said: "I have only come across three references to albino calves, which have occurred in Kruger National Park in South Africa.

"This is probably the first documented sighting of an albino elephant in northern Botswana.

"We have been studying elephants in the region for nearly 10 years now, and this is the first documented evidence of an albino calf that I have come across."

He said that the condition might make it difficult for the calf to survive into adulthood.

"What happens to these young albino calves remains a mystery," said Dr Chase.

"Surviving this very rare phenomenon is very difficult in the harsh African bush. The glaring sun may cause blindness and skin problems."

However, he told BBC News that there might be a ray of hope for the pink calf as it already seemed to be learning to adapt to its condition.

Dr Chase explained: "Because this elephant calf was sighted in the Okavango Delta, he may have a greater chance of survival. He can seek refuge under the large trees and cake himself in a thick mud, which will protect him from the Sun.

"Already the two-to-three-month-old calf seems to be walking in the shade of its mother.

"This behaviour suggests it is aware of its susceptibility to the harsh African sun, and adapted a unique behaviour to improve its chances of survival."

He added: "I have learned that elephants are highly adaptable, intelligent and masters of survival."

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7951331.stm

* _45581605_pinkelephant(3of3).jpg (38.24 kB, 466x300 - viewed 526 times.)

* _45581600_pinkelephant(1of3).jpg (34.97 kB, 466x300 - viewed 507 times.)
Logged
 



Marked as best answer by on 03/01/2021 20:16:34

Offline Chemistry4me

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 7705
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 1 times
    • View Profile
  • Undo Best Answer
  • How does a pink elephant come about?
    « Reply #1 on: 22/03/2009 09:51:31 »
    Now that is neat.
    But what does lemonade have to do with anything? [???]
    Logged
     



    • Print
    Pages: [1]   Go Up
    « previous next »
    Tags:
     

    Similar topics (5)

    How Is Salt Harvested From This Lake ? And Why Is The Lake Pink ?

    Started by neilepBoard General Science

    Replies: 9
    Views: 7560
    Last post 07/07/2010 19:28:25
    by neilep
    Why does vinegar make copper coins all pink and shiny?

    Started by chrisBoard Chemistry

    Replies: 20
    Views: 120257
    Last post 24/02/2007 09:31:18
    by paul.fr
    Optical Illusions - Why does the pink spot turn green?

    Started by neilepBoard General Science

    Replies: 23
    Views: 21950
    Last post 27/04/2007 15:42:57
    by science_guy
    Why have my white roses begun to produce pink flowers?

    Started by NicciBoard Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution

    Replies: 6
    Views: 26276
    Last post 04/02/2009 14:24:14
    by Don_1
    Why is my Cherryade foam white when the liquid is pink?

    Started by neilepBoard General Science

    Replies: 9
    Views: 5658
    Last post 08/12/2008 22:22:06
    by Evie
    There was an error while thanking
    Thanking...
    • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
      Privacy Policy
      SMFAds for Free Forums
    • Naked Science Forum ©

    Page created in 0.099 seconds with 36 queries.

    • Podcasts
    • Articles
    • Get Naked
    • About
    • Contact us
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Subscribe to newsletter
    • We love feedback

    Follow us

    cambridge_logo_footer.png

    ©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.