Standing out from the crowd

Omo, the white giraffe has been spotted roaming around Tarangire National Park, in Tanzania, along with the rest of her herd — who don’t seem to be bothered about her unusual colouring.

Ecologist Dr Derek Lee, founder and scientist at the Wild Nature Institute, caught the pale giraffe on camera. Derek, said: “Omo is leucistic, meaning many of the skin cells are incapable of making a pigment but some are, so she is pale — but not pure white with red or blue eyes as a true albino would be. It is a genetic condition.

“Omo is the only pale giraffe we are currently aware of, but we have also observed leucistic waterbuck, cape buffalo and ostrich in Tarangire.”

“Omo is now 15 months old — she survived her first year as a small calf, which is the most dangerous time for a young giraffe due to lion, leopard and hyena preying on them.”

He further said, “Her chances of surviving to adulthood are good — but adult giraffe are regularly poached for bush meat, and her colouration might make her a target,”

Wanted — Lego model builder!

Merlin Entertainment, the owners of Legoland theme parks, have advertised for the enviable task of making a variety of structures from the famous toy bricks. They have reportedly hired 50 Lego builders already and are now looking for 20 more.

Their advert reads: “This individual builds Lego models in our off-site Model Shop — MMM Studios. Must have Lego building experience and be able to design and build sturdy, accurate, complicated, safe and installable Lego models for a wide variety of Legoland attractions including miniature scale models and/or life-sized organic models from prototypes, diagrams or computer generated instructions.”

It is thought the vacancies are for a new Lego factory in Winter Haven, Florida. The toy giant also has bases in the UK, Denmark, Germany, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 13th, 2015