Rare White Tiger Cubs Delight Visitors in Tokyo Zoo Debut
In a heartwarming spectacle at Tobu Zoo, Tokyo, four exceptionally rare white tiger cubs made their public debut just a month and a half after their birth on March 16. Born to seven-year-old tigress Karla, these fluffy additions to the zoo garnered immense attention, with crowds patiently waiting for over an hour to catch a glimpse of the cuddly quartet.
Weighing a mere 11 pounds and measuring between 11 and 16 inches, the one female and three male cubs stole the hearts of onlookers as they explored their enclosure under the watchful eye of their mother. White Bengal tigers, such as these, are distinguished by a rare genetic anomaly, and with only around 250 individuals worldwide, their appearance is a cause for celebration.
The cubs, still dependent on their mother’s milk, are gradually showing interest in the meat she prefers, marking an important step in their development. The father, Rocky, is adjusting to his newfound role as a parent, recently laying eyes on his offspring for the first time from his neighboring cage. Zookeeper Hiroki Itakura shared insights into Rocky’s initial confusion, noting, “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.'”
Despite their popularity, white tigers have faced controversy in conservation circles due to their inbred nature. Conservationists argue that efforts should be redirected toward less inbred tiger varieties facing similar threats of extinction.
The striking coloration of white tigers has made them a favorite in zoos and circuses, attracting hundreds of eager visitors to Tobu Zoo for a chance to witness the adorable cubs and their attentive mother. As one visitor, Yusuke Terada, expressed, “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.”
