Rare pink dolphins spotted swimming near Oman beach
A group of unusually pink-coloured dolphins has been spotted swimming close to Qantab Beach in Muscat, Oman, with footage of the encounter attracting attention online. The rare sighting has prompted interest in the marine life found along the country’s coastline, although the dolphins’ species and the reason for their colouring have not been confirmed.
OMAN: Footage of pale pink-coloured dolphins swimming near Qantab Beach in Muscat, the capital of Oman, has attracted attention on social media following the unusual coastal sighting.
The dolphins were seen moving close to the shoreline, where beachgoers and marine enthusiasts were able to observe and film them.
The sighting has drawn comparisons with pink river dolphins, which inhabit freshwater systems in South America, including the Amazon basin.
However, the appearance of a dolphin alone is not enough to establish its species, and no identification of the animals in the footage has been provided.
Why do some dolphins appear pink?
Dolphins can vary in colour depending on their species, age and individual pigmentation.
Some may appear pinkish because of natural skin coloration or blood vessels visible beneath the skin.
Lighting and reflections can also affect how an animal’s colour appears in photographs and videos.
Without confirmation from marine specialists, however, the reason these dolphins appeared pink in the footage remains unclear.
Sighting draws attention to Oman’s marine life
Oman’s coastline along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman supports a variety of marine wildlife, including several dolphin species.
The encounter near Qantab Beach has renewed interest in the marine animals that can be observed in the country’s coastal waters.
The exact date of the sighting has not been established.
