Rare sighting of white lion cub
14 July 2014
One morning at the end of last week, three lionesses came out of the Sticky Thorn thicket at Singita Kruger National Park with nine cubs. Nothing unusual there. But one of the cubs was a little bit special - he is white.
White lions are exceedingly rare in the wild but are indigenous to Timbavati in small numbers.
White cubs are not albinos but the result of a genetic mutation. In all likelihood, the gene has come from the Timbavati white lions through the coalition of five males which took over the Shishangaan pride late last year.
This little rarity is likely to be between three and four months old and the lionesses will still keep him and his siblings hidden for at least the next two months. In an incredibly fortuitous encounter, one of our guests at Lebombo, Jamie Kramer, took these incredible photos but sightings cannot be guaranteed.
(words by Deirdre Opie, head guide at Singita Kruger National Park)
White lions in Kruger
- Richprins
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Re: White lion cub in Kruger
Yay!
This lodge is near Nwanetsi Picnic Spot...so would definitely be the Easternmost White lion sighting in SA!
Also the location of the mega-pride!
This lodge is near Nwanetsi Picnic Spot...so would definitely be the Easternmost White lion sighting in SA!
Also the location of the mega-pride!
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- nan
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Re: White lion cub in Kruger
cute tiny white one... and the others too
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Re: White lion cub in Kruger
Richprins if you go further east, you will end up in Moz, so agree.
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- Richprins
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Re: White lion cub in Kruger
Brilliant, Gump!
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- Mel
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Re: White lion cub in Kruger
Since when do lion cubs stay hidden for up to six months?This little rarity is likely to be between three and four months old and the lionesses will still keep him and his siblings hidden for at least the next two months.
God put me on earth to accomplish a certain amount of things. Right now I'm so far behind that I'll never die.
- Richprins
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Re: White lion cub in Kruger
That's for white lion, Mello!
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- Flutterby
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Re: White lion cub in Kruger
Was chatting to DeeR on FB...she saw this pride last month, but only saw 2 lionesses and 8 cubs, so the other lioness is probably keeping the white one hidden more than the others.
- Richprins
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Re: White lion cub in Kruger
Dunno? Contact Singita, Dzombo?
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