Rare mutated killer whale spotted in California

A whale-watching vessel caught on a camera a rare sight of while killer whale in the water of Newport Beach in California, reported The Sun Thursday.

The sighting was caught on camera nine miles from the shore where seven orcas were feasting on their prey with the rare killer whale joining their team.

The tourist crew reportedly stated that such sightings were rare and that they were thrilled about the "special encounter" with the four-year-old calf.

"We got extremely lucky and were able to locate a pod of at least five to seven orcas, one of which was a four-year-old calf named Frosty, after its milky-white appearance," Captain Dani Fasser said.

“The passengers watched in awe as the killer whales cruised right underneath the boat! He added.

“The orcas were feeding on a beach-ball-sized chunk of an unknown animal — likely a dolphin or small whale, and were passing it back and forth feeding together.

"Sightings of killer whales are few and far between along the southern California coastline, so it was a very special encounter."

In the pictures, it can be seen that the whale’s body colour is different from that of its companions.

Jessica Roame, education manager with Davey’s Locker & Newport Landing, said: "It is suspected that this orca may have a rare genetic disease called leucism, a condition that results in partial loss of pigmentation."

"This causes white, pale, or patchy colouration of skin, hair, feathers, or scales, but not the eyes."

"It’s extremely rare — information I’ve read suggests that scientists have documented only about 10 white orcas recorded in history.