Rare white whale calf is not an albino, but a "brindle" animal.

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - Photos and drone footage of a white whale calf have been taken by several enthusiasts over the last few weeks.

Juan Pierre Stoffberg, who lives in Glentana, saw the whales this morning when he drove past Bothastrand.

He immediately spotted the white calf between two adults and used his drone to capture these images.

PHOTO GALLERY: White whale calf spotted

According to an article in Newsweek, published on 4 August, the white calf is not an albino, but is known as a "brindle" animal.

The condition causes the animal to be a bright white colour. Brindle colouration is different from albinism - a condition where the animal appear lighter in colour due to a lack of pigmentation in the skin.

According to scientists, brindle colouration in whales is extremely rare. Only about four percent of southern right whales are brindle coloured when they are born.

Most of them turn gray as they grow up. The southern right whales are critically endangered because they were hunted for a long time and because the period between having babies is lengthening. - Newsweek.

The Chairman of the Great Brak River Conservancy, Scott Thomson, says locals are lucky to share their homes with other species. "We are very grateful for the whales and the joy they bring".