Divers in the waters of Vava’u, Tonga, have accidentally encountered a pair of humpback whales, one of which is a completely albino individual.
This video capturing this special moment quickly went viral on social media, attracting the attention of marine animal enthusiasts worldwide.
Simon Lorenz, who runs the diving company Insider Divers, stated that while he was taking a break on the beach, he spotted a white object rising above the water’s surface. Curious, the diving team decided to approach and explore. As they got closer, they were astonished to realize it was an albino humpback whale resting alongside its mother.
“I have never experienced anything like this in my years of working in the diving industry,” Lorenz shared with Storyful. “Seeing an albino humpback whale was an incredibly special experience. We could observe the features of this whale very clearly, which is usually quite difficult with regular whales.”
It is very rare for an albino humpback whale to reach adulthood.
Although humpback whales can live up to 90 years, Lorenz mentioned that for albino humpback whales to reach maturity is “very rare” because their bright coloration makes them more easily detected by predators.
The sighting of the albino humpback whale in Tonga serves as a clear testament to the diversity and wonder of the oceanic world. It also reminds us of the importance of protecting marine environments and the increasingly threatened marine species.
