![\"Albino](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/grab-video-showing-rare-albino-990549519.jpg\")
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A rare albino killer whale swimming in a pod with other normal black and white orcasCredit: Jam Press\/Splitpics\/Noriyuki Hayakawa 5<\/p>\n A rare white killer whale has been spotted in the seaCredit: Jam Press\/Splitpics\/Noriyuki Hayakawa 5<\/p>\n The albino orca was swimming in a pod of normal coloured whalesCredit: Jam Press\/Splitpics\/Noriyuki Hayakawa<\/p>\n Photographer Noriyuki Hayakawa had the magical encounter off the coast of Japan<\/a>‘s volcanic island Hokkaido.<\/p>\n The majestic creature can be seen swimming in a pod of at least five ordinary orcas. <\/p>\n It repeatedly swoops up out of the water before crashing back down into the ocean.<\/p>\n And the ghostly appearance means it really stands out amongst its pals.<\/p>\n Patches of colour forming the typical orca patterning can still be made out, but the skin that is usually a glossy black is instead virtually white.<\/p>\n What are albino whales?<\/p>\n While majestic to observe, albino whales are incredibly rare.<\/p>\n Although easy to spot if swimming with the rest of a pod, the chances of spotting one are exceptionally slim.<\/p>\n Their distinctive white colour is what sets them apart from the rest of their species.<\/p>\n Erich Hoyt, a research fellow at Whale and Dolphin Conservation in the UK, previously told Sky News that “fewer than 1 in 10,000 humpback individuals” are likely to be affected by this.<\/p>\n Hayakawa, 64, a freelance photographer based in Sapporo, has spent the past 15 years documenting the orca population around Japan.<\/p>\n But nothing prepared him for unique experience on a tourist boat in the frigid northern waters.<\/p>\n Hayakawa said: “My legs were shaking with excitement.<\/p>\n “It was the first time in my life I’d seen a white orca.<\/p>\n “I was desperate to get a shot, they swim fast and only surface for a moment.”<\/p>\n The white orca was first spotted by another nearby tourist vessel, which radioed Hayakawa\u2019s boat and encouraged them to approach.<\/p>\n The sighting was entirely unexpected, as Hayakawa hadn\u2019t set out that day specifically looking for the rare creature.<\/p>\n A small group of three white orcas is known to have popped up in the region.<\/p>\n Scientists still don’t fully understand which condition causes the colouring – but believe the animal is is either an albino or leucistic orca.<\/p>\n This marks the first time Hayakawa personally encountered one.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThis photo means so much to me.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve spent over a decade photographing orcas and this is the first white one I\u2019ve ever seen.<\/p>\n “I hope as many people as possible get to see it and appreciate how rare and beautiful these animals are.”<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI received a lot of comments saying it\u2019s fake, that it was made with AI or edited.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s real. I was there.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Albino](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/grab-video-showing-rare-albino-990549727.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Albino](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/rare-albino-killer-whale-swimming-990548640.jpg\")
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![\"Albino](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/rare-albino-killer-whale-swimming-990548561.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Albino](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/rare-albino-killer-whale-swimming-990548501_74b625.jpg\")
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