Albino jackal?

Iʼm writing as a researcher, conservationist and MSc student in response to one of the articles posted in the November issue of Getaway. First of all, I love your magazine and always buy the next copy. I was lucky to have one of my photos in your social media spread last month (a leopard). So hopefully my comment here is taken as itʼs meant, a simple observation and query.

I was reading the article by Hannes Lochner about Namibia and have a comment: I donʼt believe the jackal photographed was actually albino – I believe itʼs similar to the white jackals of Dinokeng, which were confirmed not albino by Wits researchers, but had a recessive gene similar to the white lions of the Timbavati. Anyway, love the magazine as always. Please keep putting forward epic content. Annie DuPre

Edʼs response: Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Annie. This could well be the case. Even though the photographer would not have been able to scientifically ascertain whether this chance sighting was of an albino jackal or not, we should have allowed for that possibility and explained it in the caption.