On November 7, 2013 three white tiger cubs were born at the Tbilisi Zoo in the capital of Georgia. Videos of the three rare cubs nursing have already begun to emerge. The zoo also posted an image of the proud father, Maximus, shortly after their birth on the zoo’s Facebook page.

This is the second litter of white tigers to be born at the zoo this year. In March the white tigress Cameron also gave birth to three cubs. Cameron’s litter was the zoo’s first successful breeding of these rare and beautiful tigers.

Although these adorable cubs may be no larger than a house cat now, they may eventually grow to weigh 500lbs at a length of up to 10 feet.

What Makes a White Tiger White?

Most people believe that white tigers are a species to themselves, but this isn’t the case. The white tiger is actually an uncommon variant of the Bengal tiger. Researchers at China’s Peking University reported that the pigment gene found in light-skinned Europeans is the same gene that causes these tigers to be white. The gene stops the production of yellow and red, but not black. As a result the tigers keep their iconic black stripes but do not develop the orange coat that most tigers have.

Are White Tigers Found in the Wild?

Bengal tigers have been classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Researchers fear that due to the population decrease of Bengal tigers combined with isolated habitats that white tigers will no longer occur in the wild. Shu-Jin Luo, a researcher at Peking University in China stated that “The white tiger represents part of the natural genetic diversity of the tiger that is worth conserving, but is now seen only in captivity.”

White Tiger Conservation

White tiger conservation is a hot topic. Because there are so few white tigers left, even in captivity, there is a fear of inbreeding that can lead to problems for these big cats. Responsible conservationists study the genetic line of each tiger before breeding to ensure healthy cubs and a diverse genetic population.

Conservation at the Tbilisi Zoo

The Tbilisi zoo was founded in 1927. Since its founding, the zoo is now home to animals from Georgia and around the world. It currently has over 300 species including: white tigers, white rhinoceros, white lions and more. They also opened an aquarium in 2007. The zoo’s mission is the protection and conservation of animals while also promoting good practices though the implementation of educational programs and research.

Right now responsible breeding programs at zoos around the world are the best hope for the survival of these rare white tigers. Combined with habitat conservation efforts in Asia, these new cubs represent a hope that perhaps these animals will be found in the wild again one day.