The adorable cubs, measuring between 11 to 16 inches long and weighing a mere 11 pounds, greeted eager crowds at Tobu Zoo in Tokyo. Born to seven-year-old tigress Karla on March 16, these cubs are a new addition to the global population of roughly 250 white tigers.
White Bengal tigers, with their rare genetic anomaly, have always been a scarce sight in the wild. However, their striking appearance has made them popular attractions in zoos and circuses alike. Hundreds of visitors lined up for the chance to marvel at the new arrivals.
Yosuke Terada, an architect, expressed his delight, saying, “Seeing such small babies, I became very happy. And when I saw three of the baby tigers playing and their mother watching over them from nearby, I thought, what a nice family.”
The female and three male cubs are still nursing from their mother but have begun showing interest in the meat she prefers to eat. Their father, Rocky, is adjusting to his new role as a dad, having recently glimpsed his offspring for the first time from a neighboring enclosure.
Zookeeper Hiroki Itakura noted Rocky’s initial perplexity, remarking, “He only remembers 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.”
Efforts to breed white tigers in captivity have resulted in several hundred individuals across zoos and wildlife parks worldwide. Nevertheless, many conservationists advocate directing resources towards preserving less inbred tiger subspecies, which are also endangered.
Visitors eagerly captured snapshots of the tiger family as they played and cuddled, relishing the heartwarming sight of these majestic creatures. The white tiger, a mutation of the Bengal tiger, shares many traits with its common counterpart but tends to be larger in size.
As the young cubs continue to grow under the watchful eyes of their parents, they serve as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of these magnificent animals. Their presence at Tobu Zoo offers a glimpse into the wonders of nature and the importance of conservation efforts to protect endangered species for future generations to appreciate and cherish.
