It's the pink HIPPO! Rare sighting of African animal This incredible series of pictures show the moment a photographer captured a glimpse of an extremely rare pink hippo. With its distinctive colouring, the unusual mammal immediately stands out from the crowd of its normal-coloured cousins. Taken on board a microlight aircraft over waters near Tafika Camp, South Luangwa, Zambia, Africa, the aerial images give a unique perspective of the creature swimming in the middle of a large group of hippos. Spot the difference: A rare pink hippo bathes in waters in South Luangwa, Zambia, Africa, while surrounded by dozens of his normal-coloured cousins Standing out from the crowd: Contrary to popular belief, the hippo is not an albino but is leucistic, a condition where the pigmentation of cells fail to develop properly Amateur photographer Marc Mol, 54, managed to snap the beast after hearing rumours of its presence in the area and happened to come across it whilst in the air. Contrary to popular belief, the hippo is not an albino but is actually leucistic, a condition where the pigmentation of cells in an animal fail to develop properly. Leucism can often affect an animals chances of survival as it makes them visible to predators as well as being at risk of sunburn. Pretty in pink: This picture of a different leucistic hippo which was seen in the Masai Mara, Kenya, three years ago gives a much better view of the condition The hippo is not an albino, as is commonly believed, but is actually leucistic - a condition where the pigmentation of cells fail to develop properly. It can often affect an animal's chances of survival as it makes them visible to predators and also puts them at risk of sunburn. However, hippos have an advantage in that they are big enough to defend themselves against attackers - and they can use their sweat as sun screen. However, hippos have an advantage in that they are big enough to defend themselves against attackers as well being able to use their sweat as sun screen. Marc said 'I was on holiday at the time and after hearing about the hippo, I couldn't wait to try and photograph it. Our pilot had known about the hippo for the past five years but he had not yet seen it that season, I was incredibly lucky to see it in the flesh. Pink hippos are a rare animal to see and it stood out like a beacon amongst all the other hippos. Being at least five years old, one can deduce that it was surviving fairly well out in the wild despite being a leucistic animal. Taking a picture was incredibly difficult whilst sitting on the back of the microlight, especially when you have multiple cameras hanging from you neck. The image was taken in November 2011, but the hippo is still known to be in the area. 'Lucky to see it in the flesh': Photographer Marc Mol (seen on a previous trip) flew in a microlight to take aerial shots of the hippo after hearing rumours of its presence Snaps from the sky: Mr Mol (seen on a previous trip) said taking pictures was 'incredibly difficult, especially when you have multiple cameras hanging from you neck'