Odd News - white lion occasionally found in wildlife reserves in South Africa and is a rare color mutation of the Kruger subspecies of lion (Panthera leo krugeri).
Has been perpetuated by selective breeding in zoos around the world. White lions are not a separate subspecies and they are never the same in nature.
Regarded as divine by locals, white lions first came to public attention in the 1970's in the book Chris McBride The Timbavati White Lions.
The largest population of white lions in zoos where they are deliberately bred for color. White lion population is unknown, but the number of the most recent was in 2004 and 30 are still alive.
White lions are not albino lions. In contrast, the white color is caused by a recessive gene known as chinchilla color inhibitor.
They vary from blonde to near white, but some can also be red. This gives white lions a distinct disadvantage in nature because they are highly visible.
This gives them away to their prey and make them an attractive target for hunters. According to Linda Tucker, in "The Mystery of the White Lions - Children Sun God" they are bred in camps in South Africa as trophies for canned hunting.
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