The world’s only all-white panda has been recorded on an infrared camera at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China.
The one-of-a-kind bear has no spots on its body and unique red eyes, leading scientists to conclude that it is albino. While there is another panda that lives in the northern Qinling Mountains with a rare colour variation, that one has a brown and white combination and is not all-white like the one at Wolong.
“This individual may have been the first wild all-white giant panda recorded since official documentation began,” says Li Sehng, a researcher from Peking University. “Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of this discovery for the genetics and conservation of giant pandas.”
Albinism in pandas is caused by a genetic mutation and it's incredible that it exists at all in such a vulnerable and endangered species.
Giant pandas are considered a national treasure in China and mainly live in the southwest region of the country - their diet consists almost exclusively of bamboo.
The Only True Panda: For most people, when you say the word 'panda' it instantly conjures up an image of a black and white bear living in the bamboo forests of Asia. But did you know the giant panda is named after the red panda? But that was a mistake as they are actually from different taxonomic families. Here's some more surprising details about these cute furry creatures. Discover...