Chennai: Two black tiger cubs and a white tiger cub are the new attractions at the Aringar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur.
According to a press release from the park, a female white tigress Namrutha sired with a male tiger Nagula, which has the white gene. Three cubs were born to Namrutha -- two females and one male.
Two cubs were found to have darker stripes than the normal tigers, showing the sign of the melanistic tiger. The other cub was white coloured same as its parents.
A black tiger is a rare colour variant and is not a distinct species or geographic species said Zoo deputy director. “This is a typical case of pseudo-melanism. Pseudo-melanistic tigers have thick stripes so close together that the tawny the background is barely visible between the stripes.” she said.
The release said the tiger cubs had been released into an enclosure along with their mother. Special arrangements were made for the Zoo visitors to enjoy the summer holidays.
