Lion Species: White Lion

Some tribes in South Africa consider white lions to be sacred animals sent by God to bring messages to human beings. The fact that there are only a few white lions roaming in the wild, and 500 more in captivity in the entire world, only adds to the lions' myth. White lions are a genetic anomaly that only occur in the Timbavati region of South Africa. Researchers are undertaking studies to determine if they should be classified as a lion subspecies.

  1. History and Genetics

    • The oral tradition of South African tribes indicates that white lions have been roaming the Timbavati regions for hundreds of years, However, the first official sighting of a white lion was in 1938. The lions' color is not due to albinism, but rather arises from an uncommon recessive gene, which prevents pigmentation of their fur and also gives them blue eyes. Normal-colored lions in the Timbavati region have given birth to white lion cubs, confirming the recessive gene theory. Animal scientists are still trying to understand and identify the genetic marker responsible for the lion's color.

    Hunted

    • Because they are so rare, there is a vibrant hunting market for white lions. Some lions are stolen and taken to private enclosures where they are fed from bottles until they reach adulthood and then pursued by hunters. The South African government has no laws in place that makes this practice illegal, though organizations such as the Global White Lion Protection Trust are pushing for the government to enact legislation outlawing the hunting of white lions.

    Conservation

    • With an estimated 500 white lions in existence, conservation efforts focus on identifying their rare genetic code. Animal conservationists believe that classifying white lions as a subspecies will enable them to be listed as a threatened species and provide legal protection against hunting and poaching. The goal is to first convince the government to provide protection for the white lions in Timbavati Region, which is their natural habitat, and then expand that protection throughout all of South Africa.

    Habitat Survival

    • Despite their unique coloring, white lions are able to camouflage themselves in the wild, which is vital to their hunting efforts. The Timbavati region of South Africa features sandy white riverbeds during the summer. In winter, the grass turns a pale color that helps mask the lions' presence. White lions are characterized as "apex predators," which means they hunt at night and during the day. Scientific monitoring teams have tracked white lions released into the wild, and observed dozens of successful kills in their natural environment.