White lions are not albino as they do have pigmentation, which is apparent in the eyes, paw pads and lip colour. This is a condition called leucism where there is loss of pigmentation in the skin and fur with almost normal eye colour. This occurs too in the white tiger. Why this condition occurs amongst lions only in the Timbavati area is unclear but even today Kruger Park rangers still spot the occasional solitary white lion. A rare event though because there are no more than 70 in the world today.
For centuries the myth of the White Lion has been etched in African folklore. Suddenly, in 1975, two white lion cubs were found amongst a litter of three and, in 1976, another was spotted in a neighbouring pride and legend of the White Lions of Timbavati was born.
Timbavati is now part of the vast Kruger National Park. Apart from its lions Timbavati (which means ‘the river which never dries out') is unique in other respects. Geologically it's been untouched since time began, man has had little or no impact on its virgin bush.
The three cubs were named ‘Temba', (Zulu for hope) the female “Tombi” (girl) and the other normal tawny coloured male ‘Vela' (surprise). Although he looked like a normal lion 'Vela' was heterozygous, in other words he carried white genes. The 1976 discovery was called ‘Phuma' (out of the ordinary). Sadly she didn't survive, fuelling fears amongst conservationists for the survival of Temba and Tombi. How could they survive and hunt when they were so conspicuous? It was this fear that led to the controversial capture and removal of the entire litter to Pretoria Zoo. Some were anxious to safeguard the future of this unique litter whilst others felt that nature should take its course and they should be left to fend for themselves.
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