White Lion | Animal

by TerriRexson

The white lion is a beautiful animal. Find out why these lions are white and learn how they are doing in the wild.

We love White Lions

We recently visited a zoo where they have a gorgeous male white lion. We listened to a talk about these lions and how they are being reintroduced into their native South Africa.

My son chose a white lion toy at the gift shop and is now fascinated by these creatures. So I thought we would find out some more about these creatures and share our findings and ideas for finding out more. 

White Lion

At the Isle of Wight Zoo
White Lion | Animal
White Lion | Animal
Author's Own Photo

White Lions in Captivity

I think anyone that loves and respects wild animals has mixed feelings when they see wild animals in a zoo. The story of the white lions demonstrates how important zoos and breeding programs are for the future of wild animals. 

The rare white lions were almost hunted to extinction. Due to being bred in captivity, they have been successfully reintroduced into their native South Africa. Though there are still very few white lions in the world. 

White Lion Facts

1. The coloring of White Lions comes from a recessive gene. On a recent zoo visit to see these gorgeous creatures we were told that it's similar to the blond hair color in humans. White Lions are not albinos. 

2. White Lions come from Timbavati in South Africa. They are part of local mythology. 

3. White Lions are able to live in the wild. Unlike White Tigers, their coloring doesn't cause them a problem in their native environment. 

4. White Lions are bred in captivity and after they disappeared in the wild, they were successfully reintroduced to their native Timbavati. 

5. Some White Lions are snowy white, they range in color from white through to blond like the handsome fella above. 

White Lion on Wikipedia

The white lion is occasionally found in wildlife reserves in South Africa and is a rare color mutation of the Kruger subspecies of lion. It has been perpetuated by selective breeding in zoos around the world. White lions are not yet a separate subspecies and they have been said to be indigenous to the Timbavati region of South ...

White Lions are from Timbavati. South Africa

White Lion Movie

The White Lion movie is set in South Africa and follows the life of the young lion cub Letsatsi. This movie is full of thrilling African animals and scenery. It also shows the reality of live for a white lion cub which can be very difficult so this is a very emotional movie.

It has a PG rating and we'd recommend that parents watch it first to decide if their younger children are ready for it.  The movie trailer (included below) gives a good idea of the tone of the movie. 

White Lion Movie

White Lion
Screen Media
$7.69  $3.18

White Lion Movie Trailer

Mystery of the White Lions Book

Mystery of the White Lions: Children of the Sun God
Hay House
$23.72  $2.91

Linda Tucker and the Mystery of the White Lions

Linda Tucker used to be a model and then worked in marketing. She became fascinated with White Lions and the Mystery of the White Lions is her story of the White Lions and the African mythology around them.

Tucker founded the Global White Lion Protection Trust which has been reintroducing White Lions into the wild. The trailer video for the book (below) is well worth watching in its own right. 

Mystery of the White Lions - Book Trailer

Deepak Chopra on Mystery of the White Lions

Global White Lion Protection Trust

Global White Lion Protection Trust
Learn about White Lion conservation work and find out how you can help.

White Lion Videos and Pictures

White Lions Video

South Africa

White Lion Gifts

White Lion Mugs, Posters, T-Shirts

More African Animals

The Aye Aye is an animal native to the African island of Madagascar. The Aye Aye is a species of lemur. Find out all out this unusual creature.
The African Wild Dog or African Hunting dog is a beautiful animal. Sadly now endangered, there are only a few thousand of these animals left. Learn all about the African Wild Dog.
The hyena is a fascinating animal. It's not a dog as many think. Learn lots of interesting hyena facts.
Updated: 07/15/2011, TerriRexson
 
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MBC on 02/04/2015

I have also read Linda Tuckers book - fascinating!

Sarah on 09/21/2012

I like

Dave Jackaman on 03/11/2012

\absolute nonsense. No white Lion has ever been re-introduced into the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and there is no such thing as "The greater Timbavati"
There are naturaly born White Lions in the Timbavati, saw 3 yesterday.
These breeding "farms" are used to con people into donating money.

Mladen on 03/07/2012

Lions are lovely animals. I love all sorts of cats, to be honest! And I am glad to read about them being successfully reintroduced in South Africa. Loosing such a beauties would be huge lost!

Cace on 07/05/2011

Very interesting, I didn't even know there were white lions.

Guest on 07/04/2011

I have never seen a white lion before. Thanks for this really interesting page.

Jimmie on 07/03/2011

I'm a blonde, and I love lions. Here's the lion for me!

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