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Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
A magical golden penguin was caught on camera; here's why it looks like that
During an expedition to South Georgia Island, Yves Adams, a Belgian wildlife photographer, captured the first-ever documented images of a leucistic king penguin with bright yellow plumage. This rare genetic mutation, affecting pigment distribution, resulted in the penguin's unique golden appearance among a colony of 120,000. Nature has a way of surprising us in the most unexpected moments. Just when we think we've seen everything, something so rare and breathtaking comes up that it stops us in our tracks. Whether it's a once-in-a-lifetime animal sighting or an unexplainable natural phenomenon. Wildlife photography often brings these wonders to light, capturing not just images but stories, and questions that science is still working to answer. It also reminds us of the fragile balance in which wildlife exists. One such moment stirred curiosity across the world when a Belgian wildlife photographer, Yves Adams, had the rarest stroke of luck during a two‑month expedition to South Georgia Island. He captured images of a king penguin with bright yellow plumage, a creature that had never been seen before. Among a massive colony of roughly 120,000 standard black-and-white King Penguins, one stood out for its golden feathers shimmering like sunlight on ice. Photos taken of the bird only surfaced a year later, surprising people around the world with its ethereal beauty. The moment was unexpected and magical. 'One of the birds looked really strange, and when I looked closer, it was yellow,' Adams later told The Independent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo 'We all went crazy when we realised. We dropped all the safety equipment and grabbed our cameras'. What caused the unusual appearance of the penguin? King penguins normally wear a classic tuxedo of black and white with patches of yellow at their necks. But this particular bird lacked melanin in its black feathers, turning them instead into shades of yellow and cream, which is identified as leucism. According to Livescience, experts like conservation biologist Dee Boersma and ecologist Hein van Grouw confirmed that the bird is most likely leucistic, not albino. Boersma explained, 'This penguin is lacking some pigment so it is [leucistic]. True albinos have lost all pigment' . With some subtle brown tones retained in certain feathers, the bird may be described using terms such as ino, a European term for a partial pigment oxidation fault, though definitions vary across regions (Audubon). What is Leucism? Leucism in penguins is extraordinarily rare; estimates suggest it occurs in between 1 in 20,000 and 1 in 146,000 individuals, fitting the luck of stumbling upon one during Adams's trip (Bored Panda). Its exceptional colour could make survival more difficult, as the normal dark-on-back, light-on-belly shade helps to camouflage penguins from predators both from above and below the water surface. It is a rare condition that causes animals to lose some or all of the pigment in their skin, feathers, or fur. Unlike albinism, which completely blocks melanin production and often results in pink eyes, leucism only affects the distribution of pigment, so animals can still have normal-colored eyes and beaks. In birds, this can lead to patches of white feathers or, in rare cases, an entirely pale or unusual shade. The pigment cells still exist, but they don't work properly when forming colour in certain areas. It's a natural genetic mutation and doesn't usually harm the animal.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Meet Zeus: The blind owl with the universe in his eyes
Owls are often called the epitome of wisdom in the animal kingdom, they are mysterious and majestic birds that have excellent night vision, sharp talons, and eerie, echoing calls. Most of these birds are solitary, shy hunters, gliding silently through forests or deserts after dark in search of prey. With their forward-facing eyes and rotating heads, owls have long been symbols of perfection and the wild unknown. But not all owls fit the mold of this classic nighttime predator. While most are elusive and wary of human contact, some rare individuals show us a softer, more personal side. One such extraordinary owl is Zeus, a blind Western screech owl who, instead of soaring through the night sky, now lives a calm and peaceful life beside a desk in Southern California. The owl with the universe in his eyes Zeus was discovered one morning on a front porch in Central California, injured and unable to fly. He had crashed into a house wall, and it quickly became clear something was wrong. According to Paul Hahn, founder of the Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar, California, 'He was found emaciated and blind in front of someone's house in Central California'. After being brought to the Center, Zeus was examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist who diagnosed him with capsular cataracts, a condition that leaves his eyes flecked with white and shimmering patterns that look like stars. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo 'The white flecks that glisten in his eyes are caused by unique fibrin/blood pigment clots,' Hahn explained. 'These pigments cause a unique starry-eyed look, for which he is well known, hence the name Zeus', as per reports by the Bored Panda. He now lives in a protected centre Though he only has about 10% of his vision left and cannot survive in the wild, Zeus found a forever home at the Wildlife Learning Center. He now lives in a comfortable spot inside the center, perched in a hollowed trunk on top of Hahn's filing cabinet. 'Zeus exudes a very peaceful presence and is very calm. He has a very big personality and exhibits a bit of a curious nature,' Hahn said. Visitors are surprised when they see Zeus. 'Many other people see him but believe he is a stuffed animal because he is so calm and peaceful. When he wakes and opens his eyes, people gasp. We have had people almost in tears when he reveals his peepers,' said Hahn said to the Bored Panda. While he can no longer hunt like his wild cousins, Zeus plays another important role. 'It is really special that Zeus' disability is causing so many people to be aware and care for screech owls and our environment everywhere. He truly is an ambassador to his species,' Hahn shared. Zeus may not fly under the stars anymore, but with eyes like his, he carries the night sky with him.
