Laura is a writer, illustrator, and artist living in New York City.

Orcas are kind of like the pandas of the sea. They’re adorably round (though still fierce!) and have a distinctive black and white pattern that can be spotted and recognized immediately.


After all, that’s why orcas are so beloved. Their distinctive patterns make them attractive to us, as do their size and power. Of course, that attractiveness has lately put them in jeopardy, as orcas, as well as plenty of other marine creatures, are both captured in the wild and bred in captivity to live miserable lives in aquatic parks like SeaWorld.

And that’s why there are, luckily, dedicated people around the world looking out for them, and petitioning governments and the public to better protect these beautiful animals.


They’re working to make sure all orcas can live their natural and healthy lifespans, which can be quite long, in the wild.

And on September 1, workers with the Far East Russia Orca Project (FEROP) got a real treat.

Because while black-and-white orcas are beautiful enough, they got to see a truly rare sight for the first time in four years: an albino orca, who was a shimmering white next to his normal-colored family.

And it was also a relief. The last time this whale, nicknamed Iceberg, was spotted was in 2012. With no sightings since then, FEROP and others were concerned for Iceberg’s well-being. But it turns out he’s going strong!

[H/T: Daily Mail]