As they padded across the grass in unison, there was something distinctly otherworldly about them.
This pride of white lions has been brought to Britain as one of the rarest attractions of the animal kingdom. It is estimated there are only 70 in the world -- and four are now on show at the West Midland Safari Park in Worcestershire, southern England.
At a cost of $500,000, 16-month-old Mubuto, his sister Natasha, their half-sister Johanne, 15 months, and unrelated Maryn, 19 months, were bought from the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
The animals are not albinos because their tawny eyes are the same as any lion, but they are affected by a genetic condition known as leucism, which means they lose the normal pigmentation in their skin and fur.
In the wild, such cubs are sometimes killed by members of their pride, or picked off by hyenas. They also make profitable targets for poachers.
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Posted by vacationtechnician at April 10, 2004 07:38 PM | TrackBack