Watch: Rare Albino Dolphin Spotted Off Florida Coast

Spotting a bottlenose dolphin in the waters off Florida’s coast is a pretty common occurrence.

Actually seeing an all-white dolphin, however, is a rather rare treat.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission volunteer Danielle Carter can say she did just that. And, she’s got the video to prove it.

Carter captured the frolicking dolphin swimming in waters off the east coast on Dec. 10, the conservation commission’s research institute wrote on its YouTube page.

“Researchers explained that this is a very rare sighting, but not the first of its kind,” the post explains.

The commission isn’t releasing where the sighting occurred since it doesn’t want people harassing the rare animal, First Coast News reported. The paper said only 14 other albino dolphin sightings have been logged by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration since 1962. This latest makes the 15th.

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Researchers at the conservation commission said they posted the video to remind people of the rules of the road for responsible dolphin viewing. They include:

• Stay at least 50 yards away
• Limit viewing time to no more than 30 minutes
• Avoid circling or entrapping marine mammals between water craft
• Avoid touching or swimming with marine mammals, even if they approach you

For a complete list of tips, visit NOAA online.

To report marine mammal violations such as feeding, touching, or chasing wild dolphins, call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964 or the FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-3922.

Image from the NOAA fact sheet on albino dolphins

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