White Lion Cubs on display at Toronto Zoo

[Catherine]

It is a recessive gene(actually there is probably more than one gene involved) and the white lions only occur in a small part of Africa. If we do not work to preserve them, recessive genes can be lost. We don't want to lose any of the lions in the world, but the rare mutations need a little work.


I also hope they do not let the white deer be lost or the Spirit Bears. Sometimes recessive genes need a little more help.

They are so pretty and so different. It takes planning to keep the recessive gene going without breeding close relatives together. That takes planning.