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iN PHOTOS: Wild looking wildlife spotted in Thompson-Okanagan

A bear cub has a coat that is half white and half black.
A black bear cub in Summerland has an unusual colour pattern. SUBMITTED/Amie Nina

Several birds and wild animals have been spotted around Kamloops and the Okanagan this year wearing strangely coloured coats and feathers.

Different species of birds and a squirrel were seen with what appears to be leucism, a unique genetic condition that results in reduced pigmentation in an animal’s plumage, skin, hair or scales.

Unlike albinism which causes a complete absence of pigmentation including in the eyes, leucistic animals retain some pigment and can have normal eye coloration, according to birdful.org. Partial leucism causes some feathers are white while total leucism causes all of the plumage to be white or pale in colour.

Also included in this collection is a black bear cub spotted in Summerland and a red fox seen in Kamloops, both with interesting fur patterns.

iN PHOTOS: Wild looking wildlife spotted in Thompson-Okanagan | iNFOnews.ca
A leucistic robin perches in the branches of a tree in Kamloops. SUBMITTED/Bob Needham
iN PHOTOS: Wild looking wildlife spotted in Thompson-Okanagan | iNFOnews.ca
This fox near Sun Peaks is called a cross fox due to its fur pattern. SUBMITTED/Taylor Borth
iN PHOTOS: Wild looking wildlife spotted in Thompson-Okanagan | iNFOnews.ca
This goose is Peachland has an unusual colour pattern. SUBMITTED/Janice Pim
iN PHOTOS: Wild looking wildlife spotted in Thompson-Okanagan | iNFOnews.ca
A Eurasian collared dove in Oliver has leucism. SUBMITTED/Bill Greer
 
iN PHOTOS: Wild looking wildlife spotted in Thompson-Okanagan | iNFOnews.ca
A white squirrel perches on a limb in Enderby. SUBMITTED/Dustin Lynx
iN PHOTOS: Wild looking wildlife spotted in Thompson-Okanagan | iNFOnews.ca
This leucistic dark-eyed junco was spotted in the North Okanagan. SUBMITTED/Sandra Nelson
iN PHOTOS: Wild looking wildlife spotted in Thompson-Okanagan | iNFOnews.ca
An all white red-tailed hawk was found and photographed in the Okanagan just before the New Year. SUBMITTED/Mark R. Lawrence

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Shannon Ainslie

Shannon Ainslie brings a background of writing and blogging to the team. She is interested in covering human interest stories and engaging with her community of Kamloops.

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