Saving Planet Earth

It’s good news for animal lovers and definitely a moment of joy for its caretakers when a pride of rare white lions including two adult males and two juvenile females were released into the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in South Africa’s Western Cape Province after a years-long White Lion Project, which was sponsored by the Shamwari Dubai World Africa Conservation team.

But why are White Lions white?

The white lions, also known as blonde lions, are actually the same species as the African lions (a.k.a. Panthera lions). The reason for their whitish color is attributed to a recessive mutant gene. Two copies of this gene and you get a white lion cub. Get just one copy and you just pass it on.

How did the White Lion project make them white?

To boost the genetic integrity of captive-bred white lions, researchers from the White Lion project bred the offspring of white lions with the tawny-colored variety. This is better than inbreeding because inbreeding eventually results to weaker immune systems among the animals.

And where are the lions now?

The white lion pride is being closely monitored by members of the Shamwari Dubai World Africa Conservation team. It is highly possible that pride members may separate and wander but the pride released at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve’s 100,000 acres (40,000 hectares) will ultimately reunite, the Sanbona scientists say.