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Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

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A White Flash in the Field

On the first day of spring, farmer Tim Gintner's miracle bull was born in southern Kansas. Spring is an albino (al-bye-no). He doesn't have pigments, the natural substances that give hair, eyes and skin their color. Spring's eyes seem to be pink because of the blood vessels that surround them. "He looks more like the Easter bunny than a bull," says Kathy Gintner, Tim's wife. Albino rabbits and mice are common, but albino bulls aren't. No one's ever heard of one before!

Pigment helps protect skin and eyes from the sun. Spring must be careful. "We hope he'll stay under the shade trees as much as possible," says Kathy. In bright sun, Spring puts his head down and covers his eyes with his hooves.

Scientists want to study Spring. The Gintners say that's fine, but they won't let scientists take the beloved bull off their farm. "You can see him a mile away," says Kathy proudly. "He's like a firefly, a flash of white. We'll never see anything like it again in our lifetime."

Next: Critters in Space