Science

Meet ‘Iceberg’: Possibly the First Ever, Documented Adult Albino Killer Whale

Researchers Spot First Documented Adult, All White Orca Off Eastern Russian Coast

A team of researchers from the Far East Russia Orca Project spotted "Iceberg". He is the first white killer whale they've seen make it to adulthood. (Image: E.Lazareva/FEROP via RusianOrca.org)

A research team has recently discovered what they believe may be the orca version of Moby Dick. Spotted off the eastern coast of Russia, the scientists saw what is being considered one of the first all-white, adult male killer whales ever documented — not to mention caught on film.

The scientists studying killer whales from the Far East Russia Orca Project first saw the white and potentially albino whale in the North Pacific, east of the Kamchatka Peninsula near the Commander Islands, according to a statement released yesterday. Appropriately, they’ve named the whale “Iceberg.”

Researchers Spot First Documented Adult, All White Orca Off Eastern Russian Coast

(Image: E.Lazareva/FEROP via RusianOrca.org)

Check out this short clip of Iceberg:

“In many ways, Iceberg is a symbol of all that is pure, wild and extraordinarily exciting about what is out there in the ocean waiting to be discovered,” Erich Hoyt, FEROP co-director and Research Fellow from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said in the statement. “The challenge is to keep the ocean healthy so that such surprises are always possible.”

Iceberg is reported to live in a pod with 12 other orcas. MSNBC states that young all-white orcas have been seen in the same pod before but have not been recorded as making it to adulthood. Scientists believe this shows some of the unique attributes of Iceberg.

Researchers Spot First Documented Adult, All White Orca Off Eastern Russian Coast

(Image: E.Lazareva/FEROP via RusianOrca.org)

The researchers hope to gain more information about Iceberg, his pod, and other pods in the protected area to help raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation plans. If the scientists show that Iceberg’s pod is a different species other than traditional orcas, which they believe it could be, it would be cause for a more extensive conservation plan accommodating to both species.

“With regard to Iceberg’s pod, we have no genetic data but we are hoping to meet them again in summer 2012 and learn more about the phenomenon of white whales, why they occur, what it means and whether Iceberg is a true albino — perhaps we can catch a glimpse of a pink eye — or “just” one of the most beautiful orcas anyone has ever seen,” Hoyt wrote in a blog post.

[H/T: io9]

Comments (73)

1 2
  • brewercm
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 4:09pm

    It‘s just the Orca’s equal of “The Man” finally showing up from the country club to make sure the 99percenter’s are doing their job. I guess he could be called “The Orca”.

    Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 12:56am

      The New Black Panthers are going to have a fit! What’s a whitey doing in a black pod? Al, Louis and Jessie should swim out and ask them….

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • palerider54
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:33pm

    @ITSJUSTTIM,

    I am curious, just how many stupid pills do you take a day ?

    What ever the amount, try cutting it in half.

    Report Post »  
    • urrybr
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:42pm

      Or is Edgar Winter’s pet?

      Report Post » urrybr  
    • LookingforJustice
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 10:21pm

      HaHaHaHa….that was so funny. Thanks for the laugh.

      Whoever that freak is…(itsjusttim)…his/her/it’s continuous comments and replies are pathetic.

      Report Post »  
  • cranberry
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:28pm

    Yep and next week we’ll hear someone killed it as a trophy because it was so unusual.

    Report Post » cranberry  
  • infortheride
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:11pm

    All that white was on the inside, must have gotten tired of the racist jokes so he turned himself inside out. Now let’s see Obalamer do the same.

    Report Post »  
  • gsplgtr
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:52pm

    All jokes aside, this creature is absolutely magnificent! One of the most powerful hunters on the face of the earth. Please tell me now that there is no God. His creations are amazing!

    Report Post »  
    • joannariv
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:03pm

      Yes I agree that this creature is magnificant. I hope nobody hunts it down and instead just admire it from afar.

      Report Post »  
  • KusoJiJi
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:46pm

    White Orcas can’t jump.

    Report Post » KusoJiJi  
  • inferno
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:45pm

    Another result of “global Arming ”. Just wanted to be the first to say that.

    Report Post »  
  • lassiegirldawn
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:53pm

    Probably is white because of the nuke spill in Japan. They say it is not hurting our marine life, here is proof.

    Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:02pm

      You should include a sarcasm warning to such ignorant remarks.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • ronin_6
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:10pm

      What? Your not serious? Nuclear waste would cause cancers and death, not a bleaching of a whale. Correlation does not equal causation. Its making connections like this that lead to the global warming scam.

      Report Post » ronin_6  
  • john gault 2
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:17pm

    will japanese whaling ships harpoon him yelling justice for trayvon

    Report Post »  
  • countryfirst
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:58pm

    Being born all white in a pod of Orcas , iceberg is lucky. If Iceberg were human and needed to be intelligent, strong and driven to succeed. He would need to be destroyed.

    Report Post » countryfirst  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:52pm

    .
    Don‘t worry Whitey I’m sending you a “Hoodie”………….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • 00gabooga
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:44pm

    No doubt this is the result of a joint effort between Global Warming, the Tea Party, EVIL ZIONISTS, and George W. Bush.

    Report Post » 00gabooga  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:12pm

    Now that should be a sign to the Lakota Sioux, not all the engineered White Buffalo’s that keep showing up every few years recently.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:21pm

      Another sign is bears on burial mounds. The Lord knows who his preferred people is.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:26pm

      I never really hear, until recently because they are being pushed, about Native Americans whining a lot – being as a squeaky wheel, even in all the tragic things that have happened to them.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:28pm

      As a matter of fact I think they have a low autism rate, and Alzheimer rates.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:32pm

      See because in Revelation, when the woman is carried away by a Great Eagle to a place prepared for her, that was America, and what America was.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:37pm

      I mean the tragedy that happened to blacks pales in comparison to the tragedy that happened to the Native Americans, and Native Americans hardly complained, because they are more spiritual.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:54pm

      dude quit responding to yourself its freakin annoying

      Report Post » Psychosis  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:04pm

      I mean even look at the Cliff Dwelling ruins from Native Americans past. They had technology, and irrigation, but they thought to themselves “Oh dear, we are building graven images from in the temple.” And so they abandoned it.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • bage66
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 4:50pm

      Itsjusttim, the real timmy objects to your ALL your post:

      http://www.doppspot.com/2011/01/timmy-peyton-manning.html

      Report Post » bage66  
  • Teabunny
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:05pm

    bet you donuts to dollars..there is an agenda here!

    http://img602.imageshack.us/img602/5760/russiam.jpg

    http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/obama-expand-offshore-drilling.htm

    Report Post » Teabunny  
    • Teabunny
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:37pm

      Iceberg is reported to live in a pod with 12 other orcas. MSNBC states that young all-white orcas have been seen in the same pod before but have not been recorded as making it to adulthood. Scientists believe this shows some of the unique attributes of Iceberg.
      The researchers hope to gain more information about Iceberg, his pod, and other pods in the protected area to help raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation plans. If the scientists show that Iceberg’s pod is a different species other than traditional orcas, which they believe it could be, it would be cause for a more extensive conservation plan accommodating to both species.

      Report Post » Teabunny  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:00pm

    Incredible, just when you figure the world has no more suprises for the better; God shows us something new and reminds us HE is in charge.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:59am

    .
    He better watchout, the other whales will turn on him as soon as the Trayvon Martin news reaches the pod…..

    You can’t take those black whales anywhere…..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:12pm

      Oh, good Lord…. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • coachsmac
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:35pm

      Wow, wish I would have thought of that!!!

      Report Post » coachsmac  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 12:48am

      @SpankDaMonkey
      Orca…. the other white meat. Or, “Free Willy” part 2 “The Return of Zimmernam”.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • the_united_states_of_britain
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:56am

    things that can eat me i respect.

    Report Post » the_united_states_of_britain  
  • lukerw
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:52am

    Moby Dick…

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:48am

    .
    I bet he’s a Racist……

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:47am

    it is nice to see the whale being accepted, most albino animals are shunned by their herd, flock, pack etc. we had an albino bird last year in our forest that was attacked anytime he tried to get with his flock. the other animals typically view them as the weak link or threat. beautiful whale.

    Report Post »  
    • BarbRah
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 8:03am

      This spring we observed an albino robin in the midst of a whole flock of robins. They stayed around our yard for a few days. It seemed the albino robin was just right at home with all the others. There was no indication at all that the others didn’t want it amongst them. It was a very unusual sight. I got a few pictures of it, though they are pretty far away shots and not very sharp. I think Iceberg is just awesome! Long live Iceberg!!!

      Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:41am

    I love Orcas, they facinate me and I always watch any program that features them Their intelligence is astounding.
    Iceberg is beautiful……….

    Report Post »  
  • mickgringo
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:40am

    Hmmm….. diversity in the ocean. How long will it take before this adminstration and their minions find a way to re-distribute all the fish caught by Iceberg to those pigment-enabled orcas not willing to catch their own? Just saying….. Walter! Donny! The Dude has a hankering for some sushi and black russians tonight… time to go roll and get ourselves a few “iceberg rolls” later! First one with a 700 series buys!

    Report Post » mickgringo  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:38am

    Harpoon that whale! Justice for Trayvon!

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:44am

      again you made me spit coffee all over my computer I have got to stop reading your posts while consuming any beverage

      Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:48am

      I’m with HORSECRAZY………….you genuinely make me laugh when I least expect it………and oh how I love to laugh!

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:54am

      GONZO … Thank you .. I needed that .. ;-)

      Report Post »  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:02pm

      .
      LOL PETA is gonna get on to you Gonzo……

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • stadylady
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:19pm

      One of the funniest things my husband and I read today…couldn’t stop laughing.

      Report Post » stadylady  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:33am

    If Barry had a son, it would look like the seals Iceberg eats…;-)

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • possom
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:32am

    Why is this story taking up a real storie’s space?

    Report Post » possom  
    • BenInNY
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:52am

      Because we wanted to force you to click on it in order to waste the precious time you could be using to… not click on it.

      Report Post » BenInNY  
    • tweetybird
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:27pm

      @ BENINNY……..hahahahahahahahaha…your comment was great!

      Report Post » tweetybird  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:40pm

      What?
      Is this make believe?
      .
      .
      .

      OH! This is not important to you.

      How about this. I do not like sports- therefore the Blaze should not post those stories…….

      DO you see how that works? It is called arbitrary censorship.

      Is that what you want?

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:02am

      @Stoic one
      Point well taken. I hope you come back to this article and read this. : )

      Report Post » The-Monk  
1 2

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