The Pink Dolphin

While it appears to be an albino dolphin, with reddish eyes and glossy pink skin, further analysis has shown that it doesn’t necessarily exhibit the characteristics of a true albino.  The skin is pigmented with a beautiful pinkish color instead of appearing with the absence of color or white.  In addition, the reddish eyes that were first suggested by reviewing the original images have turned out to be the eyelids or eye covers in a darker shade of pink which appeared reddish from a distance.

When first spotted in 2007 she was small in comparison to the others she was traveling with and appeared to be a newborn youngster traveling with mama. After spotting the beautiful mammal cruising with a pod of four other dolphins, Rue and his guests Randy and Peyton Smith and Greg and Sam Elias of Monroe, LA idled nearby while watching and photographing the unusual sight for more than an hour.

To fulfill our expectations, we along with many others have continued to see this amazing mammal many times over the ensuing years.  Often spotted in an area frequented by the gentle mammals, we have captured a significant amount of photographic evidence of the beauty we have all come to know as Pinky.

Here are a couple of facts we can share.  Pinky is 100% confirmed to be a female after being captured on film actively mating with a male dolphin.  She has birthed at least two calves in her lifetime which we have photographed swimming alongside her at various intervals.  Unfortunately, the first calf, which was grey in color, was hit by a passing boat as it surfaced.  We have photos of the youngster with propeller damage some days after the accident struggling to swim normally with a nearly severed tail.  This pup disappeared and we believe did not survive.  The second offspring, also grey in color, seemed to be normal and healthy and was seen with Pinky for nearly two years as she matured.  We believe that this offspring has survived and become a member of their family pod.  Of course, being grey in color makes it nearly impossible to be certain as the dolphin gained mature size.

One rumor we wish to dispel is that there are multiple pink dolphins in the Calcasieu Ship Channel or Estuary.  We do not have any verifiable evidence of that.  Many of the dolphins in our area and in some other areas of the gulf coast have an identical color of pink on their bellies which can be seen as they jump, frolic and feed in our waters.  In our experiences with guests this characteristic is often spotted and many believe they have just seen Pinky or another pink dolphin.  Believe us when we tell you, there is no mistaking Pinky once you have seen her when compared to the others in her species.

Stayed tuned to this page as we will offer updates with future sightings and developments and possibly even new or updated photos.  Thank you for all of your interest.