Numerous images of dolphins that some individuals claim are pink have been shared on social media platforms off the coast of North Carolina. The images circulating on the internet have sparked controversy and astonishment among numerous individuals, prompting them to question their authenticity.
Real or fake?
First shared on Facebook, the images feature a pink dolphin leaping out of the sea and another stuck on North Carolina's Hatteras Beach. Social media postings state that the dolphin washed up on the strand after being carried away from its usual habitat. Immediately, these photos enthralled people worldwide.
A rare pink Dolphin. 🤗 pic.twitter.com/KTxpezbOqA
— Figen (@TheFigen_) June 19, 2024
Many people on social media noticed that the dolphin looked a lot like plastic when they looked at it more closely, which made people wonder if the pictures were real. Some people thought they might be made by AI or highly Photoshopped.
One person who left a comment said that AI didn't make the pictures and that pink dolphins "show up every once in a while," referring to a sighting near Louisiana a few years ago. It was said in another post that the dolphin had been saved after washing up on the beach.
Some, meanwhile, claimed the dolphin in the photos resembled a bottlenose dolphin. A bottlenose dolphin, if a person with albinism, can be pink, although not as pink as the dolphins in the pictures. The people said the shots looked like they had been changed with Photoshop. They also said it was important to clarify that AI did not make these images, raising concerns about how AI skills might be misrepresented.
Also, local news outlets clarified that the pictures that were said to show a pink dolphin in North Carolina are not real. The State Division of Marine Fisheries reported that no evidence-based reports or images prove that pink dolphins exist in North Carolina waters. NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office analysts said the images were fake.
READ ALSO: Pink River Dolphin: 5 Fun Facts About the Freshwater Cetacean With the Largest Bodies and Brain
Are there pink dolphins?
Though rare and restricted to specific regions, pink dolphins do exist in the wild, despite the eventual discovery that the images that went viral were phony.
Amazon River Dolphin
The Amazon River dolphin lives in the murky water of the Amazon jungle and other rivers in the area. It is known for being pink. As they grow up, Amazon River dolphins turn pink or pinkish-gray. Males are larger and pinker than females. This species, like all river dolphins, is at risk of extinction.
Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin
Another animal renowned for its pink color is the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. These dolphins are found off Asian shores. Dolphins are usually gray (and white in China), but one group living in the water around Hong Kong is known for being light pink. Not only are these dolphins in risk of going extinct, but they are also getting less common.
Albino Dolphins
Albinism, a condition caused by gene abnormalities that control melanin synthesis, can also affect pink dolphins. Animals seem white because they lack melanin, which gives their skin, fur, and eyes color.
Albino dolphins have clear skin, which allows you to see their blood vessels and gives them a pink appearance. This characteristic is prevalent in various animals, although albino animals frequently struggle to survive in the environment due to impaired vision.
The widely shared pictures of a pink dolphin off the coast of North Carolina quickly gained popularity, but were proved fake. While rare and found in a few places, pink dolphins do exist. Using confirmed facts and professional judgments is essential in the digital age to distinguish fact from fiction.
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