09/29/2025
Whale-watchers off the coast of Japan were amazed to see two rare white orcas swimming together in the Kunashirskiy Strait on July 24. The sighting occurred during a whale-watching tour, and Mai, an employee of the Gojiraiwa-Kanko tour company, described it as an unforgettable experience since it was the first time both whales were seen together. One orca was older with darker skin, while the other was younger and had visible scratches on its back. The older whale was first sighted about two years ago.
These orcas are not considered true albinos, which occurs when an animal produces no melanin and has completely white skin and red eyes. Instead, they are believed to have leucism, which allows for some melanin production, resulting in whiter skin or patches of white. This explains why the traditional white patches around the orcas’ chins and eyes are still visible, and why their eyes remain dark.
Historically, white orcas were thought to be mythical due to their rarity, but researchers now know of at least five living individuals. The younger whale’s scars suggest that its healing has resulted in darker tissue compared to the surrounding white skin.