Rare footage shows an elephant calf that was born was pink-coloured skin due to albinism in South Africa.

In a video captured in August 2017, the calf is seen roaming around in a body of water with its herd attempting to cool down.

The calf's pink skin was caused by the genetic disorder albinism which causes the skin, hair, or eyes to have little or no colour.

The disorder will likely cause problems for the calf as it gets older. The elephant's pink skin will be extremely sensitive to the sun and albinism tends to lead to blindness.

The filmer told Newsflare: "The video shows exactly that in the beginning part, but then it really becomes special when the little one joins the rest of the herd for a swim. That's when it turns into a bright little pink ball of cuteness, swimming and interacting with the rest of the herd.

"Albinism found in African elephants specifically are an extremely rare phenomenon and is more commonly found among their smaller relatives in Asia.

"The lack of pigmentation causes skin problems in the African sun reaching 40 degrees Celsius average during summer."

Most likely the first ever video footage of an extremely rare pink baby African elephant, swimming with the rest of the herd in the wild. Spotted in a wilderness area of the Greater Kruger Conservancy, South Africa. Only 3 or 4 previous references or documented sightings (photos only) exist to our knowledge, of this rare natural phenomena ever in the wild, and majority of the time, they're covered in mud and dirt, making it difficult to really see the pink colour. This helps protect their sensitive skin from the harsh African sun. The video show exactly that in the beginning part, but then it really becomes special, when the little one joins the rest of the herd for a swim. That's when it turns into a bright little pink ball of cuteness, swimming and interacting with the rest of the herd. After a good swim and cool down, it was time to get out on the other side of the river bank. That was a bit of a struggle and a challenge, with herd members showing care and sympathy all the while. It’s important to note, right through the video, that there was no lack in attention, love or care for the little pink one from the other adults. It was never treated in any other different way or manner. After a 22 month gestation period, elephant babies are a huge investment to a herd, no matter what they look like. Albinism found in African elephants specifically are an extremely rare phenomenon and are more commonly found among their smaller relatives in Asia. Will this little fella make it to adulthood?? Unfortunately, most don't. The lack of pigmentation causes skin problems in the African sun reaching 40 degrees Celsius average during summer. As with in albinism in humans and other animals, the eyes are also very sensitive to the sun and usually leads to blindness. Good news though is that the little pink one was spotted again, 3 months later, looking stronger and a lot less pink. Who knows, this one might just go all the way…..