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Rare White Pygmy Killer Whale Spotted Off Hawaii

Whale watchers caught a glimpse of what they believed was an albino pygmy killer whale while out swimming with its pod off the Hawaiian coast on March 28. Travis Woo, who is a safety swimmer for a dolphin tour company in Oahu, captured video showing the white whale calf as other more typically colored whales swam around it. Dr Jessica Jacob, assistant professor of biology at Hawaii Pacific University, https://www.khon2.com/local-news/potential-albino-pygmy-killer-whale-spotted-in-west-oahu/ told KHON2 that the whale was likely one of four species of blackfish that reside in the state's waters. "Based on the shape of the fin and the white lips, I would say it's a pygmy killer whale," Jacob told the outlet. KHON2 reported that there has never been a sighting of a true albino whale of any species in Hawaii, according to experts. Sightings of leucistic or light-colored whales are more common. Work is now underway to determine whether the pygmy killer whale is an albino, with genetic sampling and closer analysis of the animal's eyes needed for confirmation, experts said. (Footage by Travis Woo/Storyful via Getty Images UGC)
Whale watchers caught a glimpse of what they believed was an albino pygmy killer whale while out swimming with its pod off the Hawaiian coast on March 28. Travis Woo, who is a safety swimmer for a dolphin tour company in Oahu, captured video showing the white whale calf as other more typically colored whales swam around it. Dr Jessica Jacob, assistant professor of biology at Hawaii Pacific University, https://www.khon2.com/local-news/potential-albino-pygmy-killer-whale-spotted-in-west-oahu/ told KHON2 that the whale was likely one of four species of blackfish that reside in the state's waters. "Based on the shape of the fin and the white lips, I would say it's a pygmy killer whale," Jacob told the outlet. KHON2 reported that there has never been a sighting of a true albino whale of any species in Hawaii, according to experts. Sightings of leucistic or light-colored whales are more common. Work is now underway to determine whether the pygmy killer whale is an albino, with genetic sampling and closer analysis of the animal's eyes needed for confirmation, experts said. (Footage by Travis Woo/Storyful via Getty Images UGC)
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Credit:
Editorial #:
2208492833
Collection:
Storyful
Date created:
April 02, 2025
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License type:
Rights-ready
Release info:
Not released.ÌýMore information
Clip length:
00:00:42:27
Location:
Oahu, Hawaii, United States
Mastered to:
MPEG-4 8-bit H.264 HD 1920x1080 29.97p
Source:
Storyful
Object name:
321854