INDIA: White tigers attract scores of tourists at zoological park

Record ID: 1374162

  • Title: INDIA: White tigers attract scores of tourists at zoological park
  • Date: 2nd May 2010
  • Summary: VISITORS
  • Embargoed: 17th May 2010 04:49
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Environment / Natural World,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA8TR44EN42KEVZ5CO1SC01PMX5
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Three white tiger cubs and their mother have become the major attraction at a zoological park in Visakhapatnam city of India's southern Andhra Pradesh state, leading to an increase in number of visitors.
    The three cubs that were born last year were released for the first time in an open enclosure at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in the city.
    "This is basically a very, very popular animal. These are very popular animals among people. So people love to see white tiger. So we can release at a time three-four white tiger at least for a period of one year, because once the male grows up it has to be separated from the female. For long time, we can show three animals, four animals, to the visitors and more number of animals means visitors, they appreciate more," said Rahul Pandey, curator at the zoological park.
    The cubs gambol and play around their mother, delighting visitors and giving them a rare opportunity to get them photographed.
    "This is a very amazing type. We have not seen it so far so far. I have not seen white tiger; I have just seen the normal tigers. First time I am seeing the white tiger," said Sangeetha Phalani, a visitor.
    White tigers get their colour, blue eyes and chocolate stripes, through an unusual genetic condition and are sometimes bred intentionally as exotic zoo animals despite the risk of birth defects.
    The overall population of tigers has suffered in India, driven by a demand for tiger skins and bones in China and the Far East for traditional medicines of the Orient.
    Conservationists estimate that India is losing about 200 to 300 tigers a year due to poaching and other development projects, eroding the natural habitat of tigers and other animals.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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