Rare Albino Raccoon Spotted in College Station

An incredibly rare specimen of wildlife was casually spotted this week in College Station, Texas. A peculiarity worth a once in a lifetime, a rare albino raccoon was found rummaging through a dumpster. Wildlife experts assert the odds of experiencing such a sight are roughly 1 in 750,000.

The Unbelievable, Yet True Encounter

Gabriel Heritage, an employee at a local Nissan dealership in College Station, was taking out the trash as a part of his usual routine when he encountered the albino raccoon. The critter was not alone; it was accompanied by four other typical, non-albino raccoons. The sight was so unique that Heritage didn’t believe he would be believed without photographic evidence. “First thing I thought to do was get some pictures because I knew that people wouldn’t believe me if I just told them I saw an albino raccoon,” he told.

Snapped and Shared

The rare sighting quickly gained popularity after Heritage shared the photos online. From local buzz, it has since spread all across Texas with numerous shares on social platforms and even mentions in media outlets.

The Rarity Explained

Krista Bligh, Director of Paws and Claws Wildlife Rehabilitation, explained why this albino raccoon sighting is such a rarity. “They are a gigantic beacon for predators, and a lot of the times they struggle with their eyesight. They are often deaf, which means they’re not responding to their mother’s cues, such as to follow them or what they eat,” detailed Bligh.

Release and Relief

Despite the significance of this rare find, Heritage went forward and did what he considered the right thing to do. He set the trapped raccoons free back to their natural habitat. He expressed his relief by saying, “I’m just glad that we got those raccoons out of there and that they’re back home where they should be.”

See An Albino Raccoon for Yourself

Although spotting an albino raccoon in the wild is an exceptional encounter, those intrigued by the occurrence can witness one at the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas.