Hyderabad Zoo is home to 12 White Bengal Tigers: India's Second-Largest White Tiger Conservation Program
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Yes, you read that right! The zoo is home to these majestic white coloured big cats. These have gorgeous snow-white coats and piercing icy-blue eyes! Simply gorgeous.
Let's have a look:
White Tigers are a genetic wonder
Many believe that the white tigers are a separate species. But that's incorrect info as these are genetic wonders not different species. They are a genetic variant of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), born with a rare recessive gene that suppresses orange pigmentation in the fur.
This gene must be inherited from both parents, making natural births exceedingly rare in the wild. Most white tigers in existence today have been bred in captivity.
The Nehru Zoological Park is India's second-largest hub for white tiger conservation, after Odisha's renowned Nandankanan Zoological Park, which produced India's first white tiger in captivity, Mohini, in the 1970s. Since then, Hyderabad's zoo has become a prominent center for nurturing and showcasing this rare variant.
Breeding with Care: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Inbreeding
Despite their popularity, white tiger breeding programs have often attracted criticism due to the risks associated with inbreeding. When related animals are repeatedly bred, it increases the likelihood of genetic deformities, weakened immunity, and health problems.
To address these concerns, Nehru Zoological Park has adopted scientific breeding protocols.
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Zoo Director Sunil Hiremath emphasizes, 'We don't breed indiscriminately. To maintain genetic diversity, we cross-breed white tigers with orange Bengal tigers when necessary. A white cub may reappear by the third generation—but will be genetically stronger.'
This approach is backed by the use of studbooks—detailed genealogical records of individual animals—and inter-zoo tiger exchanges, both of which help avoid breeding close relatives and maintain a healthy genetic pool.
Birth and Early Life: A Delicate Start
The process of breeding and raising tiger cubs is a delicate operation. Immediately after birth, mothers and cubs are kept in isolation for 15–20 days, with caretakers monitoring them through CCTV cameras. 'Even minor disturbances can stress the mother. In extreme cases, she may abandon or even consume a weak cub,' Hiremath explains.
Despite the complexities involved, the Hyderabad zoo has largely succeeded in raising healthy tigers.
None of their white tigers so far have exhibited major deformities, and their enclosures are enriched with trees, ponds, and climbing platforms to mimic natural habitats and encourage physical activity and behavioral stimulation.
Health Monitoring and Veterinary Challenges
Diagnosing health problems in tigers is no easy feat. 'Big cats are masters at hiding pain or discomfort,' Hiremath notes. This stealth often delays treatment.
Recently, two white tigers were transferred from Kakatiya Zoological Park in Warangal after showing signs of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection. Thanks to timely intervention, both are now recovering.
Routine checkups, blood tests, and dietary monitoring are part of the zoo's effort to ensure their tigers remain healthy. Veterinary teams also coordinate with other zoos and wildlife hospitals when specialized treatment is required.
Busting Myths: Public Awareness Takes Center Stage
Despite decades of awareness campaigns, misconceptions about white tigers persist. Many visitors still believe these animals are a separate species or were brought from abroad. 'Educating the public is an ongoing challenge,' said one senior zookeeper.
To address this, the zoo is enhancing its public education outreach, including interactive digital displays, multilingual signage, and trained guides who can explain the biology and conservation of white tigers in an accessible way.
Hyderabad's Nehru Zoological Park stands at the intersection of conservation, education, and ethical breeding. While the dazzling white tigers remain a key attraction, the zoo's real achievement lies in its behind-the-scenes commitment to responsible wildlife management. In a world where genetics, aesthetics, and ecology often collide, the park serves as a thoughtful model of how to blend public engagement with scientific responsibility.
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