ARGENTINA: Three white tigers are born in the Buenos Aires Zoo.

Record ID: 445302

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Three white tigers are born in the Buenos Aires Zoo.
  • Date: 10th February 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BUENOS AIRES ZOO VET, MIGUEL RIVOLTA, SAYING: "They are white Bengal tigers. It is a genetic expression that occurs every now and again in nature but it is very rare that they survive in the wild. There are only 250 animals of this variety of the white Bengal tiger in captivity."
  • Embargoed: 25th February 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Nature / Environment,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVADHHI1HYCFB1RXQNGFHYX8O5ST
  • Story Text: They are white, they are fluffy and there are three of them - a set of white tiger triplets are born at Argentina's Buenos Aires Zoo. They are white, they are fluffy and there are three of them - a set of white tiger triplets are the latest residents at Argentina's Buenos Aires Zoo.
    The cubs are only 40 days old, but already they act like they are all king of the jungle.
    Their unusual colour comes from a recessive gene. All white tigers must inherit the white gene from both their parents in order to be white.
    "They are white Bengal tigers. It is a genetic expression that occurs every now and again in nature but it is very rare that they survive in the wild. There are only 250 animals of this variety of the white Bengal tiger in captivity," explained the Buenos Aires Zoo Vet, Miguel Rivolta, said.
    The cubs are part of the zoo's regular breeding program.
    Not long ago, the planet was home to eight tiger subspecies. Three are now extinct.
    The Bengal species are the most numerous on the planet, but like all tigers their numbers are dwindling. Hunters and poachers kill the animals for both for their skin and for the Asian medicine market.
    The white animals are especially prized for their pelts.
    Like all white tigers these three little brothers also have bright blue eyes.
    But while they make look small and cuddly now, within a year they will grow to around 200 kilograms (440 pounds) and if they were living in the wild they would be ready to hunt down and kill prey.
    For now however it is all practice and play, and it will be sometime before these mischievous cubs will have the tiger by the tail.
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