Animal enthusiasts have captured what is believed to be the first photo of a wild fully-albino giant panda roaming through a bamboo forest in China.
According to the experts, no one has seen the ultra-rare fully albino panda in the wild before, making the picture extremely valuable.
The giant panda that closely resembles a polar bear was spotted in Wolong National Nature Reserve which is located in the hills of Sichuan, China.
As the wildlife experts quickly pointed out, the panda on the photo appears no more than one or two years old. In addition, it is the first wild albino giant panda spotted in the wild.
Following the amazing discovery, the reserve’s staff decided to place additional cameras around the area where the albino panda was spotted in order to capture more pictures.
“The panda looked strong and his steps were steady, a sign that the genetic mutation may not have quite impeded its life,” Peking University researcher, Li Sheng, said in an interview with a Chinese state broadcaster.
While the albino panda may look cute, the experts have warned that the genetic mutation comes along with a huge set of challenges that other pandas don’t have to face.
As they pointed out, the albino panda is not only easier to spot by predators but also most likely has impaired vision.
Amid the great discovery, the experts have also warned that the giant panda is very vulnerable and near the edge of extinction.
According to the World Wildlife Fund estimations, there are only around 1,864 giant pandas left in the wild. Given the limited numbers, the albino giant panda makes things even more special and hopeful for the future of the species.
What are your thoughts on this discovery? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to SHARE this post with your friends and family on Facebook and follow us for more news!
Recommended Video!
“Adorable Panda Cub Gets New Favorite Toy, Refuses To Let Go Of It No Matter What”