Reuters AlertNet Lite - Rare white tiger triplets born at Argentine zoo

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

Rare white tiger triplets born at Argentine zoo

08 Feb 2007 20:21:14 GMT
Source: Reuters

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Three rare white tiger cubs delighted visitors at the Buenos Aires zoo on Thursday, tumbling in the grass of their enclosure in their first public appearance since being born late last year.

Zookeepers said the birth of the blue-eyed Bengal tiger triplets represented an important contribution to saving the animals from extinction.

"There are only about 250, not even 300, animals of this variety in captivity, so every birth in the Buenos Aires zoo contributes to saving this type of Bengal tiger," chief veterinarian Miguel Rivolta told Reuters Television.

Rivolta said the zoo's breeding record showed the tigers had exactly the right environment and diet, which includes 10 kg (22 pounds) of mutton twice a week as well as fresh poultry meat.

White tiger mother Bety gave birth to the cubs, two females and one male, on Dec. 23 but Thursday was the first time zoo visitors were able to see them.

White tigers are a genetic variation of the better-known orange Bengal tigers.

Between 5,000-7,000 tigers live in the wild, down from 100,000 at the start of the 20th-century. Poaching, deforestation and over-hunting of their natural prey have hit their numbers.

"There's a big party every time there's a birthday at the zoo," Rivolta said. "It's a step forward for the conservation project."

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Argentina profile
· View map

MORE >>

Latest news

• Rare white tiger triplets born at Argentine zoo

• Banned, Censored, Harassed and Jailed

• Colombia launches campaign for the rights of displaced people

• Some newer birth control pills need ban-US group

• Some newer contraceptives too risky, US group says

MORE >>

Last updated:Thu Feb 8 20:22:00 2007