Get Ready to See a Rare Albino Caribou Calf, Likely Photographed for the First Time

A biologist's photos capture an albino caribou calf with red eyes and pink hooves in northern Fairbanks, Alaska, the first images of a calf in nearly 50 years.

Cooper Gallant chases his professional fishing dream with 'No Plan B'

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Cooper Gallant tells OutKick OutDoors how he got his start in competitive fishing, spent years chasing his dream, and refused to think about fishing.

Jordan Prosenski, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, was counting caribou calves in a small plane north of Fairbanks when he spotted a white spot.

The usual late June activity of determining how many calves survived their first month was becoming almost routine. White Spot was a rare albino caribou.

"I'm just like, 'What's going on?'" Proshensky said, "You can see it just like on the horizon, and then it steps on it like a speck of snow and it's completely gone."

The pilot turned the plane towards the animal for another look. As the plane made another pass, Proshensky took several pictures. In addition to its white fur, the calf also had "incredible beady red eyes" and pink hooves.

The last Alaska Department of Fish and Game record of an albino calf was in 1976. The calf was spotted for a few minutes and no photos were taken.

In the case of this calf, there is no way of knowing if it survived the one-month check in late June. Biologists have not collared the calf or mother, and its white fur makes it stand out to predators.

"When it comes out of the snow, it really stands out," Proshensky said. "So we're not really sure how it's going to last for a long time."

The name of the herd of albino caribou is not shared, so people don't have to look for it on their own.

"If you see it, it would be great if you let us know. But what we really don't want is for people to actually try to disturb this caribou."

"We want to be able to give it our best shot, which is kind of letting it be a normal caribou."

This seems quite logical. Let the caribou do caribou things. Not looking for fame. Enjoy rare animal photos and keep it moving.

Get all the stories you need to know from the most powerful names in news delivered to your inbox every morning.