Whale-watchers in northern Japan got more than they bargained for when two extremely rare white orcas appeared together off the coast of Hokkaido—a sight never before recorded in the country.
An Unforgettable Encounter in the Kunashirskiy Strait
On July 24, tourists aboard a Gojiraiwa-Kanko whale-watching tour stared in disbelief as not one, but two white orcas surfaced near their boat. The pair—one older, one a younger calf with visible scars—swam with their pod through the icy waters of the Kunashirskiy Strait, a narrow passage between Hokkaido and Kunashir Island.
“It was the best day ever,” said Mai, a tour company staffer. “I’ve seen the older whale before, but this was the first time seeing the younger one—and the first time both appeared together.”
Not “True” Albinos—But Even Rarer
These stunning orcas aren’t true albinos. Instead, scientists say they likely have leucism—a genetic condition that causes partial loss of pigmentation, resulting in striking white or patchy skin, but leaving their eyes dark and some signature orca markings visible.
Leucistic whales are still incredibly rare. Visible scars on the younger orca—darker against the white skin—offered an even more dramatic view for lucky onlookers.
Why Are White Orcas Becoming More Common?
Once considered almost mythical, sightings of white orcas have increased slightly, with at least five known individuals globally. Scientists believe this may signal trouble for wild orca populations: as populations shrink, genetic diversity declines, making rare conditions like leucism more likely to appear.
For these whales, being white may be a double-edged sword—more visible to both prey and predators, possibly affecting survival. But for the people on that boat, it was a once-in-a-lifetime brush with one of nature’s most mysterious creatures.
