Thompson's Gazelle with Werewolf Syndrome - more images

This is a follow up to the image we posted on 12 October 2010 showing the Thompson's Gazelle with "Werewolf Syndrome" (See the first post here)

New sighting and photo of 'mutant' gazelle in the Masai Mara

New image of the 'mutant' Thompson's gazelle. Photo credit Robert Berntsen.

Strange Thompson's gazelle in the Masai Mara from Wildlife Extra News. The original post can be viewed here

We first reported on this very unusual gazelle in August, when we reproduced some images taken by well known photographer Paolo Torchio. We have now received another image of the same gazelle (presumably) kindly sent to us by Robert Berntsen. The image was taken in the Masai Mara on 31st October, showing that the unusual gazelle is still alive and well. We have also had a sighting reported from the east (Narok) side of the Mara River, south of Talek River - late in July 2010.

Mr Berntsen reports that "It looked like a young male Thomson but with deformed head and upper neck. In addition there were long black strands of hair all over its body. On its head the blood vessels seem to be abnormally thick. Its size and behaviour looked quit normal and was accompanied by other Thomson's gazelles, although seemed to stay in the outskirts of the group."

VERY UNUSUAL THOMPSON'S GAZELLE SEEN ON THE MASAI MARA. PHOTO CREDIT ROBERT BERNTSEN.

 

The photographer, Paolo Torchio, (click here to go to his website) was  born in Italy but moved to Kenya 20 years ago, where he has made his  name as a photographer and a conservationist.     Photo credit Paolo Torchio.

Mutations and oddities
The most well know 'oddities' in the animal world are unusual, or lack of, colour displayed by some animals. Often classed as Albinos, this can occur across a wide range of species, though it is often not albinism but leucism.

Our thanks to Wildlife Direct as the source of this story. 

Thomson's gazelle with 'werewolf syndrome'

Original article appeared here

This hairy, terrier-like animal has been causing a stir among animal experts who are baffled over its appearance. It is the first time it has been captured on camera and the strange bearded creature is believed to be a gazelle. Experts have identified it as a Thomson's gazelle, but are baffled as to what has made it so hirstute. One theory is it is suffering from 'werewolf syndrome', or hypertrichosis, a condition that affects humans and animals and is a genetic fault that causes excess hair all over the body. The photos were taken in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya by veteran wildlife photographer Paolo Torchio from Italy

Picture: Paolo Torchio / Solentnews.biz