Wildlife biologist astounded by sighting of ultra-rare elk: 1 in 100,000
Rarity has its own unique beauty.
Last week, wildlife biologist Evan Phillips of Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Montrose, Colorado, had an incredible sighting. He spotted a piebald cow elk, a truly rare find.
According to the CPW Southwest Region’s social media account on X, only about one in every 100,000 elk have the piebald trait.
During a big game classification flight this week, Montrose area wildlife biologist Evan Phillips got a glimpse of a rare piebald cow elk! The piebald trait in elk occurs in about 1 out of every 100,000 animals. pic.twitter.com/5pFtvyd9RD
— CPW SW Region (@CPW_SW) December 6, 2023
Piebald animals have striking white patches, sometimes large ones, on their skin with darker pigmentation.
According to The Guardian, scientists have recently made progress in understanding the gene mutations that cause these white patches. In 2016, they developed a ”mathematical model” to describe how pigment cells move and grow in the womb of these animals.
In 2016, Animal Crossings of Florida, Inc., announced the opening of an “Interactive Zoo” featuring the “World’s First Piebald Alligator.”
In short, piebaldism is so rare in some species that until recently scientists knew very little about it.
Phillips had the incredible luck of spotting the piebald elk during a “big game classification flight” conducted by CPW.
Earlier this month, CPW’s Montrose office issued a news release to inform the public about low-flying helicopters. The purpose of these flights was to place GPS collars on elk calves and pregnant cow elk for research purposes.
“CPW aims to understand calf survival and cause-specific mortality across different study areas in the state,” the press release stated.
In other words, Phillips and his colleagues had important work to do, and the sighting of the piebald cow elk was a fortunate coincidence.
And what a remarkable coincidence it was. Colorado is home to the largest elk population in the world, with over 280,000 animals. Based on averages, there may only be three piebald cow elk in the entire state.
To the average reader, terms like ”mathematical model” and “cause-specific mortality” may not evoke a sense of wonder. However, the CPW managed to capture that sense with their description of the sighting as a “glimpse of a rare piebald cow elk!”
That kind of excitement, even over an elk, has a touch of the extraordinary. It reminds us of the beauty found in rarity and the wonders of God’s creation.
The post ‘1 in 100,000’: Wildlife Biologist Amazed After Spotting Extremely Rare Elk appeared first on The Western Journal.
rnrn
How rare is the piebald trait in elk and what makes it a unique and beautiful feature?
Rarity has its own unique beauty. This sentiment was reaffirmed last week when wildlife biologist Evan Phillips of Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Montrose, Colorado, had an incredible sighting. He spotted a piebald cow elk, a truly rare find.
According to the CPW Southwest Region’s social media account on X, only about one in every 100,000 elk have the piebald trait. This means that encountering a piebald elk is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people.
Piebald animals have striking white patches, sometimes large ones, on their skin with darker pigmentation. The contrast between the white and dark patches creates a visually stunning appearance.
But what causes these unique markings? Scientists have been making progress in understanding the gene mutations that cause these white patches. In 2016, they developed a “mathematical model” to describe how pigment cells move and grow in the womb of these animals. This breakthrough in understanding the genetic basis of piebaldness opens up new avenues of research and could potentially lead to further discoveries about other visually striking traits in animals.
Piebald animals are not limited to elk. In fact, in 2016, Animal Crossings of Florida, Inc., announced the opening of an “Interactive Zoo” featuring the “World’s First Piebald Alligator” and an extremely rare leucistic alligator. This demonstrates that the appeal of piebald animals extends beyond just one species. People are fascinated by the rarity and beauty of these creatures.
The fascination with rarity extends beyond the scientific community. People are drawn to rare and unique things in all aspects of life. Whether it’s a rare gemstone, a limited-edition collectible, or a one-of-a-kind work of art, rarity adds value and allure. It captures our attention and ignites our curiosity.
In the case of the piebald cow elk, Evan Phillips’ sighting serves as a reminder of the wonders of the natural world. It reminds us that there are still mysteries to be uncovered and rare treasures to be discovered. It also encourages us to appreciate and protect the diversity of life on our planet.
Rarity has its own unique beauty. It captivates our imagination and reminds us of the remarkable diversity that exists in the world. The piebald cow elk is a testament to this, and its sighting is a rare and special event that we should cherish. Let us continue to celebrate and protect the rare and beautiful wonders of nature.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
