Endangered White Tigers

white tigers are very rarely seen in the wild. The white tiger cannot be considered as a sub-species, 

but is a result of recessive yet rare genes of the Bengal tiger, and is actually a color variation. It is 

estimated that only one in 10,000 births can result in a white tiger naturally. Over the past couple of 

centuries, white tigers have become even rarer in the wild, with some unsubstantiated sightings in the

Siberian wild, due to trophy hunting or capture for exotic pet trade. Today, the white tiger can still be 

found in a handful of zoos and animal sanctuaries around the world, with these large and beautiful 

felines often being the star attraction.

History and Origin

The first mention of a white tiger was recorded in India somewhere between 1556 and 1605 AD, 

although the first documented case of a white tiger being caught was in 1915. It is believed that a 

local king caught a white tiger and kept it for himself till its demise. After 36 years, in 1951, Maharaja 

Martand Singh, the king of Rewa, spotted a male white tiger during his visit to the Govindgarh jungle in

Central India. He captured this tiger and raised it himself. Named Mohan, the tiger mated with its 

offspring, and the first litter of white tiger cubs were born. All the white tigers kept in zoos are now the

descendants of Mohan, or some of the other captive orange tigers whose recessive genes took over 

through special breeding programs.

Anatomy and Appearance

All white tigers are a color variant of the Bengal tiger; they are not a separate sub-species. A white 

tiger can weigh up to 300 kg (661 pounds), and grow to more than 3 meters (10 ft) in length. The 

males are larger than the females. White tigers have pure white or creamy fur with black or dark brown

stripes along their body. They have blue eyes, rather than green or yellow like that of normal Bengal 

Tigers. The ears are semi-circlular in shape, and the nose is pink in color. With their appearance, they 

are often characterized as albino tigers, but this is not true. An albino tiger would be pure white, 

without any stripes.

Controversy Surrounding Inbreeding

The very rarity of these majestic creatures puts a lot of pressure on zoos to produce more and more 

white tigers. These beautiful animals make very popular exhibits, and help in increasing the zoo's traffic

and revenue. Since white tigers are not found in the wild, they are multiplied by inbreeding. Most 

genetic defects tend to be recessive, and are generally masked by normal genes, but in this case, with 

the persistent inbreeding taking place, genetic problems are accumulating, and are amplified, resulting 

in high mortality rates and severe disabilities.

Approximately 80% of the cubs die from serious birth defects as a result of inbreeding that is 

necessary to create the white coat. Out of the few that survive, most have apparent birth defects, like 

retinal degeneration, strabismus (cross eyes), scoliosis of the spine, cleft palates, and clubbed feet. 

Additionally, the other problems that are related to these tigers also include mental impairments like 

unpredictable behavior and depression. Such inbreeding is not only disturbing; but also inhumane. The 

controversy involved establishments and individuals who claimed that they are trying to save or keep 

the species alive, or are simply manipulating the truth to keep their unethical activities running. 

Breeding of white tigers is just for the purpose of moneymaking, and benefits the tiger species in no 

way, most believe.


Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/endangered-white-tiger.html