Story By: Juan Fenandez Mayes,  Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

This is the moment a tour guide films the first white penguin ever to be spotted in the Galapagos Islands.

The rare penguin was filmed by guide Jimmy Patino at the Punta Vicente Roca site located on Isabela Island in the Galapagos Islands while he was giving a tour to two tourists on 19th November.

Charles Darwin visited the Islands in 1835, later inspiring the theory of evolution.

The video and footage show the rare penguin with white plumage calmly standing next to a large lizard.

There have been no reports confirming the species of the animal but it is thought to be a Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus), which are endemic to the archipelago, with a rare genetic condition.

A spokesperson from the Galapagos National Park told Newsflash it is the first time such an animal has been seen “in the history” of the archipelago.

Adding: “Experts corroborated the guide’s version and believe this is a genetic condition known as leucism which produces a partial loss of pigmentation in the plumage while maintaining its normal eye colour which differentiates them from albinos.”

However, until proper testing is carried out, experts cannot confirm anything.

The Galapagos National Park issued a statement giving good news on the population of Galapagos penguins last month (23rd October).

Minister of environment and water Paulo Proano said: “The data from the last census of penguins and flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) show record numbers, proving a good state of their population.

“Let’s celebrate this great news reaffirming that the actions carried out by park rangers and scientists on the Islands are yielding positive results.”

They believe reduced human activity due to the global COVID-19 pandemic has been a factor in their increasing numbers.

The Galapagos penguins are listed as endangered and the flightless cormorant as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red (IUCN).

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