Alvinho, an albino tamanduá-bandeira, was discovered by farm workers in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul. The group spotted a small white pup on its mother’s back. The species' natural camouflage usually makes it difficult to spot the young, but Alvinho's white color made him stand out. The workers alerted the Environmental Military Police, and the case was taken to ICAS (Institute for the Conservation of Wild Animals), a social organization that monitors around 70 tamanduá-bandeiras. According to the president and founder of ICAS, Arnaud Desbiez, Alvinho is the first albino animal of this species being monitored in the world, and he explained the importance of following the animal’s progress.
-"Alvinho is the first albino tamanduá-bandeira monitored in the world, so we don't really know what to expect, to be honest. I didn’t think he would live to be 3 years old like he is now, given his condition and the lack of melanin pigmentation. He’s white, and his eyes are red. He suffers much more from light, heat, and albinism comes with a series of other conditions like in the muscles, etc. So, his life is a bit harder. But we just recaptured Alvinho, I think three weeks ago, and he is doing very well. He’s a little smaller for his age. He weighed 22 kg, which is less than expected. At his age, he should be weighing around 28 kg or something. But he’s strong and eating well. Actually, he’s surprising us," said the president of ICAS.
Alvinho’s albinism is caused by a recessive genetic condition that results in the absence of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, fur, and eye color. This causes his eyes to be red and sensitive to light, as well as contributing to other conditions that can affect his physical development and muscles. At three years old, Alvinho is smaller than expected for his age but is considered healthy.
The albino tamanduá uses a special vest, lighter than the ones used by adult tamanduás, weighing less than 1 kg. Studies show that tamanduás quickly adapt to the vest, which does not interfere with the animal's well-being. The vest contains a GPS device that sends the animal’s location, and it is reviewed annually or as needed, especially due to Alvinho’s growth.
Tamanduás mainly feed on termites and ants but can also consume beetles and other invertebrates. They use their long, sticky tongues covered with a thick layer of mucus to capture insects. With their long claws, they break open termite mounds and ant nests. Each individual can consume up to 30,000 ants or termites in a single day. The habitat and temperature significantly influence the activities of these animals. During extreme heat, they seek refuge in forested areas, while in cold weather, they go to open areas during the day. Although Alvinho is not fully developed, his albinism suggests he may have increased nocturnal activity to avoid intense sunlight. Besides the white color and red eyes, Alvinho has light-colored claws and greater sensitivity to light, often keeping his eyes closed. His behavior, influenced by temperature, is similar to other tamanduás, but he is expected to avoid open areas and times of high sunlight exposure.
In Mato Grosso do Sul, Alvinho is not the only albino animal. There are records of two albino deer, one adult in Inocência and one calf in Miranda, as well as sightings of albino macaws in Bandeirantes. While albinism may give these animals a picturesque appearance, it is important to note that its occurrence is often linked to inbreeding. This happens in populations with reduced size, where inbreeding becomes more common.
For an albino animal, forest areas like this one can play a crucial role. The shading provided by the forest environment can be essential for protecting these individuals from the harmful effects of sun exposure, thereby contributing to their survival.