Wednesday, July 16, 2008

279: record number of rare white lions born in Germany

Hmm... another animal story. Though this is really a tale of survival - the relative resurgence of a species. According to today's linked article from German newspaper Der Spiegel, a record seven white lion cubs were born at a safari park outside Dortmund recently. This is pretty significant, because white lions - the result of a genetic mutation in lions originally from South Africa's Kruger national park and a nearby game reserve - are extinct in the wild. Indeed, there are thought to be only around 200 remaining worldwide. Of these, the German safari park, Stukenbrock, hosts 24. They live alongside other rare animals including a zebroid (yes, that's a horse-zebra hybrid)... How's that for celebrating diversity? (Photo from Der Spiegel online.)

2 comments:

Diana P said...

Wow - those Zebroid photos are amazing: the animals are like ponies in half-hearted fancy dress!

Pity to read they're bred for fun, though...

eazibee said...

Yes, there are lots of amazing photos alongside the article in Der Spiegel. I prefer the white lions though, as they look so majestic. As you imply, there is something a little warped about the human intervention needed to create a 'zebroid'... E