Four very rare and very fluffy white tiger cubs were born just a month and a half ago and have now made their first public appearance at a Japanese zoo in Tokyo. The cuddly cubs, ranging from 11 to 16 inches long and weighing only 11 pounds, were greeted by crowds of eager visitors at Tobu Zoo, many of whom stood in line for over an hour to catch a glimpse of them.

Born on March 16 to a seven-year-old tigress named Karla, these cubs are the newest additions to a global population of only around 250 white tigers. White Bengal tigers, known for their striking appearance due to a rare genetic anomaly, have always been extremely rare in the wild but have gained popularity in zoos and circuses for their unique coloration.

Visitors expressed their delight at seeing the tiny babies, with Yosuke Terada, an architect, sharing his joy, “Seeing such small babies, I became very happy. And when I saw three of the baby tigers playing and their mother watching over them nearby I thought, what a nice family.”

The one female and three male cubs are currently nursing from their mother but are beginning to show interest in the meat she consumes. Meanwhile, their father, Rocky, is still acclimating to the idea of fatherhood and has only recently laid eyes on his offspring from a neighboring enclosure.

Zookeeper Hiroki Itakura noted Rockey’s initial bewilderment, “He only has the memory of just Karla being there so at first he had an expression on his face like ‘what are these, something foreign to me is here.’ I believe that perhaps he doesn’t yet even recognize them as fellow white tigers.”

These cubs are a testament to the conservation efforts being made to preserve the white tiger population, even as conservationists argue that breeding programs should focus on less inbred tiger varieties that are also facing extinction.

The white tiger, a recessive mutation of the Bengal tiger, shares many physical characteristics with its common counterpart but is often larger in size. While hundreds of white tigers have been bred in zoos and wildlife parks globally, the ongoing discussions surrounding their conservation underline the importance of protecting all endangered tiger species.

In conclusion, the public debut of these adorable white tiger cubs has captivated audiences and shed light on the critical need for conservation efforts to safeguard these majestic creatures for future generations to enjoy.