World's Rarest Panda Caught On Camera In China For First Time Ever

Ed Mazza
Updated

Wildlife cameras have captured an image of what is believed to be the world’s only known albino giant panda , China’s state-run media reported over the weekend.

The People’s Daily said the panda was spotted last month at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan:

There are other images of pandas often described as “albino” in online posts. However, they are not true albino pandas. Most maintain the distinctive panda markings, but with lighter colors.

China Daily said the panda in the new image is believed to be a juvenile between 1 and 2 years old.

Its gender is not known, but the website said wildlife officials are planning to set up more cameras in an attempt to capture additional images.

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Tai Shan takes a short plunge off the edge of a faux rock during his debut to the press November 29, 2005 at the National Zoo. Tai Shan was sent to China in February, 2010.
Tai Shan takes a short plunge off the edge of a faux rock during his debut to the press November 29, 2005 at the National Zoo. Tai Shan was sent to China in February, 2010.
Mei Xiang and Tai Shan, who was born at 3:41 a.m. July 9, 2005, weighing only a few ounces at birth. This photo was taken in December, 2005.
Mei Xiang and Tai Shan, who was born at 3:41 a.m. July 9, 2005, weighing only a few ounces at birth. This photo was taken in December, 2005.
Giant Panda cub Tai Shan cuddles with his mother, Mei Xiang, while they eat melon balls in the morning at the National Zoo's Giant Panda Habitat on August 30, 2006.
Giant Panda cub Tai Shan cuddles with his mother, Mei Xiang, while they eat melon balls in the morning at the National Zoo's Giant Panda Habitat on August 30, 2006.
Giant Panda Tian Tian plays with a box on January 20, 2011 at the National Zoo. The snack is made with apples and pears frozen in apple juice.
Giant Panda Tian Tian plays with a box on January 20, 2011 at the National Zoo. The snack is made with apples and pears frozen in apple juice.
Giant Panda Mei Xiang eats a breakfast of bamboo at the National Zoo's Giant Panda Habitat on August 30, 2006.
Giant Panda Mei Xiang eats a breakfast of bamboo at the National Zoo's Giant Panda Habitat on August 30, 2006.
Giant Panda Tian Tian enjoys a fruitcicle at the National Zoo on January 20, 2011.
Giant Panda Tian Tian enjoys a fruitcicle at the National Zoo on January 20, 2011.

The 4th Birthday Of Giant Panda

Giant panda Tian Tian eats bamboo at the National Zoo on July 9, 2009.
Giant panda Tian Tian eats bamboo at the National Zoo on July 9, 2009.
Tai Shan officially celebrated his fourth birthday with singing, guests and a massive, three-tiered "veggie-sicle" cake. The frozen masterpiece was made over the course of two weeks by Zoo commissary staff by freezing a combination of water, beets and beet juice while enhancing it with bamboo and fruit. Tai quickly took to the frozen treat, licking at the ice, spotting his furry face with the melting beet juice.
Panda cub Tai Shan is examined, weighed and measured on September 19, 2005.
Panda cub Tai Shan is examined, weighed and measured on September 19, 2005.
The National Zoo's Chief Veterinarian Dr. Suzan Murray, Curator of Primates and Giant Pandas Lisa Stevens and animal keeper Nicole Meese conducted a health exam on Tai Shan when he was a cub in 2005.
The National Zoo's Chief Veterinarian Dr. Suzan Murray, Curator of Primates and Giant Pandas Lisa Stevens and animal keeper Nicole Meese conducted a health exam on Tai Shan when he was a cub in 2005.

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