Buzz
A Belgian photographer, specializing in capturing wilderness landscapes and wildlife, stumbled upon incredibly precious and rare images of a unique penguin species on a remote island in South Georgia.In December 2019, during a two-month-long photography expedition in the South Atlantic and a stopover on an island in South Georgia to photograph a colony of over 120,000 king penguins, this photographer witnessed an extraordinary sight: a lone penguin adorned in vibrant golden plumage amidst a sea of 120,000 others swimming ashore. Seizing the moment, he swiftly grabbed his camera and captured this extraordinary creature. Fortunately for the photographers, this one-of-a-kind penguin swam close to the beach near their group, offering them a perfect opportunity to photograph it without being hindered by the thousands of other penguins and seals in the vicinity.
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It is known that the King penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), much like its close relative the Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri), typically possesses a black and white plumage with a streak of yellow on their necks. However, the peculiar coloration of this penguin may be attributed to a genetic condition called leucism. Its cells no longer produce melanin, turning its black feathers into shades of yellow and cream. Unlike albino individuals, this penguin lacks only certain pigments, hence its distinctive coloration.
Unusual plumage in penguins is relatively rare, and sometimes the cause behind such uncommon colors can be difficult to ascertain just by observing them. Some unusual colors may result from trauma, dietary factors, or illness. However, the diet of penguins contains no molecules responsible for yellow pigment in feathers. Additionally, in a published study, scientists have found that the yellow pigment in penguin feathers differs chemically from all other molecules known to produce feather colors. To arrive at more accurate conclusions, scientists require biochemical test samples from this particular penguin.
According to researcher Daniel Thomas, penguins use yellow pigment to attract mates. However, with the unique yellow hue of this penguin, researchers are still unsure whether it will be extremely appealing to female penguins or shunned for its unusual appearance.
You can view more photos of this special penguin here
As per 9gag
