Yes, there is such a thing as a pink dolphin. Now your 8-year-old self can die happy.

In 2007, a dolphin -- quickly named Pinkie -- was spotted in a lake in Louisiana. The man who first took notice of the creature then has recently made a new discovery: Pinkie is a girl.

Erik Rue, the man who originally noticed Pinkie, was observing and photographing the pink dolphin mating which is how he discovered she was a girl.

Many have wondered why this dolphin is such a unique hue. Observers speculate that Pinkie is probably albino. Some have noticed she has red eyes and her blood vessels show through her skin (giving her a pink hue). The Mayo Clinic's definition for albinism states:

Albinism includes a group of inherited disorders that are characterized by little or no production of the pigment melanin. The type and amount of melanin your body produces determine the color of your skin, hair, and eyes. Most people with albinism are sensitive to sun exposure and are at increased risk of developing skin cancer. 

Pictured above: An albino zebra

In laymen's terms, albinism occurs (in humans and other animals) when the pigment that gives our skin, hair and eyes color is absent. In Pinkie's case, the lack of pigment in her skin allows her circulatory system to show through, resulting in her pink tint. It is a genetic condition which means Pinkie inherited her unique skin color from both her parents. They do not show symptoms because albinism requires genes from both parents for the condition to present itself fully.

Pictured above: An albino primate

There are not many cases of albinism (in humans or in animals) because both parents must pass a gene carrying the condition to their offspring for albinism to present itself. In the animal kingdom, albino animals can be ostracized by those around them. This makes survival even more difficult than the skin condition itself. Those with albinism are more sensitive to the sun and, therefore, more susceptible to skin cancer, burns, and other complications. Similarly, humans with albinism struggle to fit with their peers as well. Although albinism is not a life-threatening condition,

Now you may ask yourself why is Pinkie making the news? This is not a case of animal cruelty as with Cecil the Lion and there have been no groundbreaking discoveries made (Pinkie's condition is genetic therefore an isolated incident). I will ask you a question: why does news have to be bad news? Pinkie is alive and well, not to mention now we know pink dolphins are a real thing, not just something in children's imaginations.

I for one think the world needs more stories like this.