Where I use to work in Botswana, down south in the Tuli Block, we did some work monitoring the baboons troops that roosted in the area. One baboon was bright white, with a dark face, hands, feet and tail. We appropriately named him Snowball! We figured that he was leucistic, as opposed to be true albino, because of the pigment in these areas. I did some resaecrh at the time and found this to be reported in a number of other species, including vervet monkeys, but not chacma baboons.
So you can imagine my surprise when driving across the bridge this morning I came across this fellow.
Pale baboon
He is not as white as snow ball was, who was always impressively shining, but he is definitely lighter than the other baboons in the troop. I look forward to seeing him again and hopefully getting a better look, and photo if possible.
Charlie
One Comment
Wow Charlie, very cool, I have not seen him around before. Will definitely keep my eyes open.